Resources

Know Your Rights

As the LGBTQ+ community comes under attack from the Federal Government, it is critical that LGBTQ+ individuals understand their rights. We are protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity by Virginia and Arlington County laws in:

  • Housing

  • Employment

  • Public Accommodation

  • Education

Equality Arlington has put together a guide, “Know Your Rights: LGBTQ+ Rights in Arlington, VA,” with current information (the federal legal landscape is rapidly evolving) about anti-discrimination laws for the Federal Government, Virginia, and Arlington County and Public Schools that you can access HERE.

The LGBTQ+ community in Arlington, VA is served by organizations throughout the DC Metropolitan area and Northern Virginia. Equality Arlington has provided a list of LGBTQ+ serving organizations, below, that may be of interest to the community.

Northern Virginia LGBTQ+ Advocacy or Education Nonprofits

  • Arlington LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee - (Arlington) The LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee keeps county and community leadership apprised of issues and actions regarding the needs of LGBTQIA+ residents, makes recommendations to ensure LGBTQIA+ residents can thrive in the county, and works to increase understanding and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Equality Virginia - (Virginia/state-wide) Equality Virginia advocates and organizes across the Commonwealth, serving the full spectrum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer people within Virginia. We are fighting for equality for all in Virginia.

  • Equality NoVa - (Northern Virginia) Through varied social activities, we provide a safe and comfortable community. Through vigorous nonpartisan civic outreach, Equality NoVa earns the respect of community leaders and ensures that LGBTQ voices remain an integral part of the local government decision-making process. Through community service projects, we reflect our commitment to improving the quality of life.

  • Arlington Gender Identity Allies (AGIA) - (Arlington County) AGIA is community of parents, students, APS staff, and allies working together to make Arlington Public Schools more affirming and welcoming to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students and staff.

  • NOVA PRIDE - (Northern Virginia) NOVA Pride is now the area's largest LGBTQ+ organization, and has become the voice of LGBTQ+ Northern Virginia.  We've held over 400 events in Northern Virginia since inception, including our Annual Northern Virginia Pride Festival, the region's largest gathering of members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. 

  • Equality Prince William - (Prince William County) Equality Prince William is committed to recognizing the diversity of the Greater Prince William community. We don’t seek special privileges – only equality for all.

  • Equality Loudoun - (Loudoun County) Equality Loudoun is a non-profit organization that advocates, educates, defends, and builds community to support LGBTQ+ equality in Loudoun County.

LGBTQ+ Businesses

  • Freddie’s Beach Bar - (Arlington County) Freddie's is an LGBTQ+, straight friendly restaurant and bar with locations in Arlington, Virginia and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

  • Arlington Pride - (Arlington County) Produce spaces that fosters a sense of community that encourages LGBTQIA+ citizens to live with pride and educate the public and organizes Arlington Pride Festival in June each year.

  • Equality Chamber of Commerce - (DC Metro) The Equality Chamber of Commerce DC Metro Area (ECCDC, or just “the Chamber”) is the non-profit, not-partisan network of several hundred queer and allied (Q&A) businesses and business leaders in the DC metropolitan area. Through its extended network of community partners and event participants in the capital area LGBT community, it regularly reaches approximately 5,000 individuals through it's messaging, networking events, and workshops.

Legal Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals

  • Arlington Human Rights Commission - (Arlington County) In the County, it is unlawful to discriminate because of gender identity or sexual orientation. Arlington residents can submit a complaint of discrimination to the Human Rights Commission.

  • ACLU of Virginia - (Virginia/state-wide) Everyone has the right to live their lives free from discrimination and harassment – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We work in the courts, in the legislature, and in our communities to protect the rights of all LGBTQ+ Virginians.

  • Virginia LGBTQ+ Bar Association (Virginia/state-wide) - We seek to secure equality for the LGBTQ+ community and oppose discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  We provide legal education, resources, and information to legal community and the public.

  • Lambda Legal - (National) We represent LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV—in the court of law and the court of public opinion.

  • Whitman-Walker - (DC) Whitman-Walker provides free legal services for LGBTQ+ youth under the age of 30 including name change and identity document updates, appeals of insurance denials for gender-affirming care, immigration, disability benefits, and discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status.

Shelter & Domestic Violence Services

  • Doorways for Women and Families - (Arlington County) Doorways creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people.

  • Project PEACE - (Arlington County) Arlington County’s Project PEACE (Partnering to End Abuse in the Community for Everyone), is a coordinated community response dedicated to advancing the most effective and efficient array of education, prevention, protection, and support services to end domestic and sexual violence in the community. 

Nonprofits Serving LGBTQ+ Youth and Families

  • Safe Space NOVA - (Northern Virginia) Safe Space NOVA is dedicated to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment to combat social stigmas, bullying, and other challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth.

  • SMYAL - (DC) SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders) supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy. Committed to social change, SMYAL builds, sustains, and advocates for programs, policies, and services that LGBTQ youth need as they grow into adulthood.

  • Metro DC PFLAG - (DC Metro) Metro DC PFLAG helps keep families together and promotes equality and the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) people and their families through support, education, and advocacy. Founded in 1983, we are a nonprofit, nonpartisan, volunteer organization in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Montgomery County area.

  • He She Ze and We - (Virginia/state-wide) He She Ze and We is a 501(c)3 Non-profit that offers weekly educational support meetings for parents, caregivers and adult family members of transgender and gender-diverse children of all ages. These meetings are an opportunity to talk and listen to others going through a similar journey.

  • Arlington Public Libraries Rainbow Reads Book Club - (Arlington County) Rainbow Reads is a lively book group for teens to discover and discuss LGBTQ+ books, share stories, and enjoy snacks. All middle and high school students welcome. 

  • Camp Free2Be - (DC Metro) Camp Free2Be is a week-long summer day camp for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth ages 6-14.

Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Individuals

  • Whitman-Walker - (DC) For over fifty years, Whitman-Walker has been part of the fabric of the local DC and national community as first responder and care-provider for those living with HIV; a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy; a research center working to discover breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention science; and one of the DC’s most trusted partners during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Whitman-Walker envisions a society where all people are seen for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and afforded equal opportunity to health and wellbeing.

  • NovaSalud - (Falls Church) NovaSalud improves and strengthens the health and well-being of our diverse community through culturally competent and language appropriate HIV/AIDS services – including HIV/STI testing and prevention education – free of charge for all.

  • Inova Pride Clinic - (Falls Church) We are an internal medicine practice providing primary care services for patients 12 years and older. Inova Pride Clinic offers a safe and comfortable space committed to providing medical expertise with cultural humility, tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people.

  • Arlington Public Health Division - (Arlington County) The HIV/STI Services Program provides testing, treatment, education and referral for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS to individuals who have limited or no health insurance coverage and low incomes.

National Nonprofits Serving the LGBTQ+ Community

  • Human Rights Campaign - (National) By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, the Human Rights Campaign strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus community members who use different language to describe identity are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

  • SAGE - (National) SAGE leads in addressing issues related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning and other self-identifying members of the community (LGBTQ+) aging. In partnership with its constituents and allies, SAGE works to achieve a high quality of life for LGBTQ+ older people, supports and advocates for their rights, fosters a greater understanding of aging in all communities, and promotes positive images of LGBTQ+ life in later years.