Issue Position: Equality

Issue Position

EQUALITY
Social justice is a way of life. My father is a retired Episcopal priest and my mother worked as a nurse and I grew up in the Deep South. My parents raised me with a strong sense of social justice. I worked my whole life as a grassroots activist to stand up for those who face discrimination. From the time I was in the 6th grade, working to make our crossing guard patrol coed at my school to the past ten years helping create the group HEART (Herndon Embraces All with Respect and Tolerance), I've consistently been a voice for fairness and inclusion. My husband and I placed a priority on raising our girls to be open-minded and to stand up for others as well.
In every race I have run in the past, I have been endorsed by Equality VA, and other pro equality groups.
In every race in the past I have been endorsed by New Virginia Majority.
I have dedicated my adult life to standing up for others because I believe that diversity and inclusivity are hallmarks of a healthy community. A diverse community has the capacity to make us all richer as we learn from one another.
I embrace and welcome all people in my community - racial, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+, cultural, and faith differences are part of who we are. Every person should have the fundamental right to make decisions for themselves about their most personal and private family issues. I am proud of the legislation that I've carried and look forward to the very near future when the General Assembly in Virginia passes legislation that protects diversity and outlaws discrimination and hateful actions.
I will fight and vote for Virginia to ratify the ERA!
My equal pay legislation protects an expanded class of Virginians: "Protected class" means a group of persons distinguished by race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, or age."

LEGISLATIVE RECORD ON EQUALITY FOR ALL
HB 2, copatron, ERA - ratification of the federal constitutional amendment/2019 Major Priority with bipartisan support
HB 497, chief patron, allow change of sex on birth certificate without requiring a medical procedure
HB 75, copatron, Repeals the unconstitutional statutory prohibitions on same-sex marriages and civil unions or other arrangements between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges and obligations of marriage.
HB 266, copatron, Adds gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation to categories considered hate crimes when targeted; also copatroned HB 718
HB 1267, copatron, State health plans to include gender transition care
2017 Session, HJ 538, copatron, constitutional amendment to repeal 2006 amendment, now unconstitutional, defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman

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