AdvocacyWhy Advocacy?
Too often, the loudest voice of faith in Virginia has been a voice of hate. We seek to correct this by raising out voices to say that we are people of many faiths and that LGBT rights is a justice issue.
Join us! Raise your voice! Take Action Today!
Winter 2012 Action Alert:
Speak Out Against HB 189!
We are in a last-ditch effort to defeat HB 189, the so-called “Conscience Clause” bill. You can read about the potential impact of this bill here.
Please consider sending this letter, or your own version of it, to your State Senator right now! There is no time to waste!
Speak Out for HB1115!
POFEV is encouraging everyone to speak out in support of HB 1115, The Solemnization of Marriage Act. This bill decriminalizes private religious services; allows for a congregational leader from any faith to solemnize a marriage without the state having to discern who is a 'minister' in different traditions; and protects against government intrusion in theological matters where no state legal recognition is sought.
Why is HB1115 Needed?
- It is a First Amendment issue! The current law dictates who can have or perform a purely religious service even when not filing for a marriage license.
- The current law is an infringement on faith by government. The proposed bill does not change the law regarding marriage but simply leaves liturgies and services up to the religion. It is currently illegal for a 'minister' to say marriage in a service even if no legal recognition is sought for the union.
- The Christian-centric language of 'Minister,' is currently the only language used in the law, This excludes other faith traditions.
Need Help Advocating for HB 1115?
Find Talking Points and Conversation Starters for HB1115 Here!
Virginia General Assembly Session 2012
Want to know what is happening at the Virginia General Assembly with regard to LGBT rights this year? Check out the POFEV Legislative Agenda to see which bills we are tracking.
Want to see what POFEV is up to at the Virginia General Assembly?
Read Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline's testimony to the Senate committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services about LGBT adoption.
June 2011 Action Alert:
Support the Fed's Pride Flag!
The Richmond Federal Reserve has decided to fly a rainbow flag in support of LGBT Pride Month and its LGBT employees. Some people, including Del. Bob Marshall and Victoria Cobb of the Family Foundation have been outspoken critics of the Fed's decision.
Bob Marshall, in particular, wrote a letter to Jeffrey Lacke, the president of the Richmond Federal Reserve, demanding that the flag be removed. In his letter, he states the following:
"...Moreover, the homosexual behavior “celebrated” by your Richmond’s Federal Reserve Bank spokeswoman undermines the American economy, is a class six felony in Virginia (18.2-361, VA Code), shortens lives, adds significantly to illness, increases health costs, promotes venereal diseases, and worsens the population imbalance relating to the number of workers supporting the beneficiaries of America’s Social Security and Medicare Programs."
Counteract this hate speech & support LGBT equality today!
Contact the Federal Reserve & Send Your Support for the Flag!
May-June 2011 Action Alert:
Adoption Debate in Virginia Continues
The commenting period for the proposed changes to the licensing standards for child placement agencies in Virginia has re-opened. Now is the time to share your experiences in support of equal adoption rights. For more information or to share your story, see our adoption page.
April 2011 Action Alert:
Adoption Debate in Virginia
As our friend James Parrish, new Executive Director at Equality Virginia, says,“Bob Marshall is at it again.”
Marshall (pictured left) tried and failed in 2005 to ban gay adoption. Now he’s trying to get the Governor to overturn a regulation a year in the making that would ban discrimination by state-licensed child placing agencies against potential GLBT foster parents and adopters.
Section 22VAC40-131-170 B. of the proposed new standards for licensed child placing agencies, says that such an agency licensed by the state shall "prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or family status to: 1. Delay or deny a child's placement; or 2. Deny an individual the opportunity to apply to become a foster or adoptive parent."
This provision does nothing more than ensure that a person who seeks to adopt or foster a child is not denied the opportunity to do so simply and solely because of who he or she is or what he or she believes.
Read more about the proposed rules here.
We Made Our Voice Heard on This Issue!
And You Can Too!
POFEV's letter to Dr. Snood, Chair of the Board of Social Services:
Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, President of POFEV, wrote the following to Dr. Snood:
"I am writing on behalf of People of Faith for Equality in Virginia (POFEV) to urge you to publish in final form and regardless of any objection that might be interposed by the Governor or the legislature, the proposed new standards for licensed private child-placing agencies (22 VAC 40-131) that have been under review for the past year without controversy or concern. I am writing also as a person of faith, a pastor, a gay man, and a parent."
Read POFEV's entire letter to Dr. Snood.
Equality Virginia also sent a letter to Dr. Snood. Read it here.
It is vitally important that you make your voice heard as well. Tell the Chair and the Governor that you want the regulations implemented as proposed without changes to the nondiscrimination provision that protects people from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
The Governor's contact information is here.
The contact information for the Chair and Members of the State Board of Social Services is here.
POFEV at the General Assembly
The 2011 General Assembly Session marked a more active partnership with Equality Virginia for POFEV, as we were able to have a constant presence at the General Assembly. Although most of our agenda was in line with legislation that EV was also tracking, we have a unique perspective as people of faith that strengthened our case as we fought alongside each other for LGBT equality.
The five categories in our agenda this year were:
- Marriage and Parenting –to recognize our unions and families in the state law
- State Legal Protection Against Discrimination—to make broad statements of inclusion the policy
- Employment Nondiscrimination—to provide specific protections to do our work in peace
- Employment Benefits—to ensure that equal treatment is given to our families from our jobs
- Educational Measures—to protect school and university students so they may study in safety
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