The Honorable Ralph Northam and Mrs. Pam Northam named Equality Virginia’s 2014 “Legend”

Community Legend award will go to Hampton Roads Pride

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2014 RICHMOND, VA – On Saturday, November 8, at its annual Legends Gala, Equality Virginia will recognize the Honorable Ralph Northam and Mrs. Pam Northam as well as Hampton Roads Pride as its 2014 Legends.   Each year, Equality Virginia highlights an individual and a community organization from the Hampton Roads area with this distinguished award. “As Virginia makes its way toward the freedom to marry, and we continue to change hearts and minds about other issues facing lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender Virginians, we have leaders like Lt. Governor Ralph Northam and Mrs. Pam Northam to thank for the progress we have made in the Commonwealth,” said James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia. The honorable Ralph Northam and Mrs. Pam Northam have been long-time advocates for Virginia’s LGBT community.  As a state Senator, Ralph Northam received a 100 percent in Equality Virginia’s scorecard in 2012 and 2013, and when elected as Lt. Governor in 2013, he continued to advocate for marriage equality and workplace non-discrimination. “Pam and I are honored by this recognition alongside our friends from Hampton Roads Pride,” said Lt. Governor Northam. “Virginia is making great strides towards being a welcoming place for all, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. We look forward to continuing to be a part of this important work.” Equality Virginia’s Community Legend for 2014 is Hampton Roads Pride. “Hampton Roads Pride has successfully put the issue of LGBT equality and fairness front and center in Hampton Roads.  PrideFest, now on the waterfront, is a marquee event for the whole community and has been instrumental in gaining many new equality supporters and advocates,” said Parrish. Hampton Roads Pride is an all-volunteer organization and exists to empower all LGBT and allied people by promoting strong community partnerships and increasing public affirmation of LGBT individuals. “This has been a very exciting year for Virginia’s LGBT community and its allies.  Equality Virginia has made it even more so for our members, sponsors, volunteers and Board of Directors by naming Hampton Roads Pride a Legend for 2014.  We are thrilled and so grateful,” said Laurel Quarberg, president of Hampton Roads Pride. The Legends Gala will take place on November 8 at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront hotel.  Tickets are available on Equality Virginia’s website: www.equalityvirginia.org. ### Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians.  Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities.  More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org.  Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.