The Virginia General Assembly and Arlington County Board received a colorful and enthusiastic visit last Sunday when over 100 attendees, including four LGBTQ-supportive members of the General Assembly and two candidates running for seats on the Arlington County Board, gathered for Equality NoVa’s annual Ice Cream Social. Hosted at the warm and welcoming home of Freddie Lutz, proprietor of Freddie’s Beach Bar, an iconic Arlington gay bar and restaurant, along with his husband, Johnny Cervantes, the event resonated with the spirit of unity.
Expanding Horizons, Expanding Hearts
Equality NoVa, formerly known as the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA), has been the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ organization in Virginia since its inception in 1981. Their recent name change reflected an expanded mission, taking on responsibilities of the now-defunct LGBTQ groups in Alexandria and Fairfax counties. This move allowed them to encompass all of Northern Virginia, signaling their commitment to a broader spectrum of LGBTQ issues.
Nonpartisan Commitment to LGBTQ Causes
Daniel Hays, the President of Equality NoVa, emphasized the organization’s nonpartisan nature during introductory remarks. While they do not endorse political candidates, they tirelessly organize educational and political awareness events and campaigns addressing LGBTQ issues affecting statewide and local government agencies and officials. This commitment to inclusivity and advocacy remains at the core of their mission.
Election Hopes and Concerns
Among the prominent guests were LGBTQ-supportive members of the Virginia House of Delegates, including Charniele Herring, Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, and Vivian Watts. Virginia State Senator Barbara Favola, whose district covers parts of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties, also attended. Adding a local dimension, Arlington County Board candidates Maureen Coffey and Susan Cunningham, along with Arlington County School Board candidate Miranda Turner, joined the event.
With the upcoming Virginia elections in November poised to shape the state’s political landscape, many attendees expressed their hopes for the re-election of these LGBTQ-supportive officials. The election holds significant importance, as it could determine which party controls both houses of the state legislature. Currently, Democrats hold a narrow majority in the Virginia Senate, while Republicans maintain a slim lead in the House of Delegates.
Activists are watching the election closely, particularly in light of recent executive actions by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin regarding public school policies that are perceived as discriminatory against transgender students. A potential Democratic takeover of the House of Delegates offers hope for a reversal of these policies.
LGBTQ activists also voiced concerns that a Republican resurgence in the state legislature could lead to the approval of anti-LGBTQ legislation, echoing trends seen in other states. The Ice Cream Social served as a reminder of the importance of LGBTQ advocacy and the need for supportive legislators in Virginia.
In a time of political change and uncertainty, the LGBTQ community in Virginia remains vigilant, advocating for their rights and striving for an inclusive and equitable future.