Our Advocacy

Even before its incorporation as an advocacy nonprofit in April 2023, Equality Arlington’s leadership has been working to advocate for the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and extended (LGBTQ+) community in Arlington, Virginia. Leveraging existing and new relationships with government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and businesses, Equality Arlington’s volunteer leadership has worked to connect the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals living and working in the county with the decision-makers who have the power to address gaps in support for LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare, education, public representation, housing, and other areas critical to thriving in our community.

Based on the needs of Arlington’s LGBTQ+ community, the Equality Arlington Board of Directors adopts advocacy priorities each year. Our current priorities are:

·       Protect and improve healthcare access and services for LGBTQ+ residents especially transgender residents

·       Empower and support LGBTQ+ students, especially transgender and nonbinary youth, in Arlington schools and in the community

·       Protect Arlington’s LGBTQ+ residents from discrimination and safeguard their rights and welfare at the local, state, and federal level

·       Increase LGBTQ+ cultural representation throughout our community

If you are interested in supporting Equality Arlington’s work as a Board Member, Policy & Advocacy Committee member, or other type of volunteer, please contact equalityarlington@gmail.com.

Accomplishments

LGBTQ+ Health Care Access and Equity

  • 2022-2023 – Worked with VHC Health (formerly Virginia Hospital Center) to incorporate LGBTQ+ patient needs into their 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This revealed multiple gaps in addressing the healthcare needs of Arlington’s LGBTQ+ residents. As a result of our advocacy, the CHNA included the health needs of the LGBTQ+ population for the first time and VHC Health adopted Health Equity as their top strategic priority for 2024-2027.

  • 2024 – Secured a marketing budget for Arlington County's Public Health Division to increase awareness about the county's free/low cost STI Clinic and sexual health services to the LGBTQ+ community.

  • 2025 - Worked with Arlington County’s Public Health Division to have them launch a STI testing marketing effort that reached over 23,000 users on Instagram, X, and Grindr with their “Keep Your Status Clear: Test Once a Year” campaign and resulted in 1,228 visits to the STI Clinic website.

Supporting Marriage Equality in Virginia

  • 2024 – Advocated for Senate Bill 101 and House Bill 174 in the General Assembly and with the Governor. These bills prevent discrimination in marriage on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of the parties. Both bills passed the General Assembly and were signed into law by Governor Youngkin.

LGBTQ+ Representation in Public Spaces

  • 2024 – Worked with the Arlington County Board and National Landing Business Improvement District (BID) to secure rainbow stripes on 23rd Street by Freddie’s Beach Bar to celebrate Arlington’s queer history during Pride month.

  • 2024 – Worked with the Arlington County Manager to establish the first LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee in the county. This came in response to Equality Arlington’s letter in March 2023 outlining a number of areas where the county could better serve LGBTQ+ residents.

Ensuring LGBTQ+ Students have Safe and Supportive School Environments

  • 2024 – Worked with Arlington Public Schools (APS) and other advocates to establish a Performance Objective specific to LGBTQ+ student wellbeing in the district's new 2024-2030 Strategic Plan. APS will begin collecting data specific to LGBTQ+ student experiences in 2025 that will provide a more accurate representation of LGBTQ+ student perspectives on school safety, supportive adults, and sense of belonging.

Holding Candidates and Elected Officials Accountable for their Support of LGBTQ+ residents

  • 2024 – Released candidate questionnaires and information about County Board and School Board primary and general election candidates' support (or lack of support) for the LGBTQ+ community.