Campaign to End Workplace Discrimination
Equality Virginia believes every Virginian should have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and committed to equality of opportunity without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sign our online petition.
In Virginia, there is no state-wide law to protect people from discrimination on the basis of their real or perceived sexual orientation in the private or public workplace.
Inclusive non-discrimination policies make good business sense. Over two-thirds of the nation's Fortune 500 companies have non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation. 125 of these companies also include protections for gender identity. Eight of Virginia's top ten employers include sexual orientation in their employment policies.
In two polls conducted by a respected bi-partisan polling team, Virginians, regardless of geography or political party, overwhelmingly support GLBT workplace rights. 87% of Virginians agree that gay and lesbian employees have a right to be protected from workplace discrimination. Moreover, 90% said gay and lesbian Virginians should have the right to work for the government.
Equality Virginia needs your help to translate this broad public support into action at the 2010 General Assembly.
Be counted
Equality Virginia is collecting names on our End Workplace Discrimination petition. It is important for us to have these names to show members of the General Assembly the number of Virginia voters who support this issue. You can help us in two ways:
Sign our online petition today.
Download the petition.
Send the petition link to your friends, family, and co-workers.
Use your voice
Contact your delegate and senator.
Urge your local government leaders to pass resolutions in support of workplace non-discrimination.
Write a letter to the editor of your paper supporting workplace non-discrimination.
Ask your university or college faculty senate to pass the resolution in support of workplace non-discrimination.
Contact EV for talking points, sample letters and resolutions.
Give an hour of your time
Volunteer with EV at your local pride festival. These events provide a great opportunity to educate our community and collect names for the End Workplace Discrimination petition. Please contact
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
if you want to help.
Share your story
Equality Virginia is collecting stories of violence and discrimination through our Tell It campaign. These stories are important because they highlight why people in the GLBT community need laws changed. They put a face to discrimination and show it is an ongoing issue in the GLBT community.
Who has joined the campaign?
60 members of the General Assembly have signed the pledge not to discriminate in their office.
The Longwood University and Virginia Tech faculty senates have passed resolutions in support of changing the law.
The following localities have supported workplace non-discrimination policies by passing the EV resolution of support, local ordinances, or exective orders: Alexandria, Arlington, Blacksburg, Charlottesville, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Richmond City, Norfolk City, and Loudoun County.
These 54 local leaders have signed the letter calling on the General Assembly to protect GLBT Virginians from discrimination in public employment.
Albermarle City:
Diantha McKeel, School Board
Stephen Koleszar, School Board
Alexandria City:
William Euille, Mayor
Kerry Donley, Vice Mayor
Rob Krupicka, City Council
Helen Morris, School Board
Ronnie Campbell, School Board
Dana Lawhorne, Sheriff
Sally Baird, School Board Chair
Chris Zimmerman
Ashland City Council:
Dr. George Spagna, Vice Mayor
Blacksburg City Council:
Susan Anderson, Vice Mayor
John Bush
Leslie Hager-Smith
Cecile Newcomb
Lluzelle Dugger, School Board
Edmund Michie, School Board
David Norris, Mayor
Satyendra Huja, City Council,
James E. Brown, III, Sheriff's Office
Richard Harris, Deputy City Attorney
Falls Church:
Robin Gardner, Mayor
Lois Berlin, Superintendent
Lawrence Webb, City Council
Patrick Riccards, Chair, Schoolboard.
Sharon Bulova, Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Jeff McKay, Board of Supervisors
John Foust, Board of Supervisors
Penelope Gross, Board of Supervisors
Daniel Storck, School Board
Lexington:
Mimi Elrod, Mayor
Loudon:
Andrea McGimsey, Board of Supervisors
Kelly Burk, Board of Supervisors
Priscilla Godfrey, School Board
Sally Kurtz, Board of Supervisors
Stevens Miller, Board of Supervisors
Norfolk:
Karen Jones Squires, School Board Vice Chair
Theresa Whiblye, City Council
Thomas Smigiel, City Council
Portsmouth:
Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, School Board
Richmond:
Doug Conners, City Council
Kimberly Gray, School Board
Kimberly Bridges, School Board
Charles Samuels, City Council
C.T. Woody, Sheriff
Chris Hilbert, City Council
Is your local representative on this list? Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to help add your local leader.
Watch Equality Virginia in the news!
Read recent editorials in favor of Non-Discrimination in Public Employment.
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/opinion/editorials/article/ED-DISC06_20100205-164003/322482/
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/opinion/op_ed/article/ED-LAMPO27_20100126-184005/320235/
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/02/states-gay-workers-deserve-protection
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/235692
If you have any questions or want more information on how you can help end workplace discrimination, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may find more comprehensive information on our Issues page.
Upcoming Events
| Tue Feb 14 @08:00AM POFEV's Annual Witness for Marriage Equality: Statewide |
| Sat Apr 14 9th Annual Commonwealth Dinner: Richmond |
