By: Kierra Johnson Symbolism is having a huge moment in Virginia right now on a couple of fronts, and while the conversations may seem a bit backward, no one should be surprised. During Pride Month, crosswalks in Alexandria, VA were painted the colors of the modernized LGBTQ+ flag. Several other cities, such as Atlanta, Philadelphia, […]
LGBTQ / Equality
If You’re Gay N You Know It
by shay bell GAY PEOPLE LEMME HEAR YOU MAKE SOME NOISE!!! *inserts that one Ariana Grande meme (iykyk) Happy Pride Month to MEEEEEEEEEE and everyone else who celebrates this amazing time of love, liberation, and freedom. And in honor of Pride Month and also because ABSOLUTELY no one asked, I’ve decided to share just three […]
Marriage Equality Passes the Senate, Now Heads to the Governor
Richmond, Virginia—While it’s shameful that basic marriage rights are still up for debate in 2024, LGBTQ+ community members and interracial couples are one step closer to being allowed to marry without hindrance in Virginia. Today, the Senate passed HB 174, a marriage equality bill sponsored by Delegate Rozia Henson. The bill, which passed the House earlier […]
Lt. Governor Winsome Sears Misgenders Senator, Offers Non-Apology Apology
Richmond, Virginia—When Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears referred to Senator Danica Roem, the first transgender person elected to the Virginia legislature, as “sir” on the Senate floor today, she added to her long, ignominious record of transphobic remarks and anti-LGBTQ+ views. Roem, who served as the Delegate from Manassas from 2018-2024 and was elected to the […]
Trans Kids Safe From Republican Attacks For Now
Richmond, Virginia—Trans kids and their families are breathing a sigh of relief today after members of a Senate Education and Health subcommittee voted down bills that discriminate against trans kids. SB37, sponsored by Senator John McGuire, would force teachers and guidance counselors to out students to their parents, potentially creating an unsafe home environment for […]
MY thoughts, you ask?
by shay bell You all – no one – have been begging me for my thoughts on session so far, so who am I to deprave you any longer? I’ve had to suffer through some things this month that have made me regret my career path, and I’m ready to vent it all out. I’ve […]
Flowers for Mothers
by shay bell In observance of Pride Month, I wanted to honor the pioneers who made this celebration possible. Marsha “Pay No Mind” Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are the icons of the Gay Liberation Movement of the 1960s and 70s. These confidently expressive women who met and became friends in NY during the early years […]
Transphobic Legislation Affects Everyone
By Kierra Johnson It’s open season on trans folks, and everyone, regardless of their gender, should be worried. This past legislative session in Virginia was full of committee meetings staffed with cisgender politicians questioning the rights of transgender children. While those who are defending anti-trans bills do so under the guise of protecting children, the […]
Senate Committee Passes Marriage Equality Constitutional Amendment
Richmond, Virginia—A group of Senators who sit on the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted this afternoon to pass SJ242, sponsored by Senator Adam Ebbin. This constitutional amendment would repeal the referendum that was passed in 2006 limiting marriage to one man and one woman. It’s high time we corrected that bigoted mistake, and we’re thrilled […]
Virginia Communities Agree: Our Right To Abortion Should Not Be Up For Debate.
Everyone’s reproductive freedom is on the line right now. Never have we seen such vicious attacks on the right to abortion and access to it since Roe became the law of the land nearly 50 years ago.