We all can agree that discrimination is wrong, and everyone deserves a safe place to call home. That’s why we’re launching the Virginia Values Coalition to raise awareness about the challenges facing LGBT Virginians and to call on our state lawmakers to ensure that all Virginians are protected from discrimination in their daily lives.

The Virginia Values Coalition is a diverse group of citizens and organizations urging the General Assembly to pass bipartisan, common sense laws to protect LGBT Virginians from discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces.

You can join us.

Our state is at its strongest when we’re all free to work hard, earn a decent living and go about our lives without fear of discrimination.

If you agree that it’s time for LGBT Virginians to be treated fairly under state law, join the Virginia Values Coalition.

Virginia Values is a broad coalition of Virginians from all walks of life who believe in protecting our LGBT neighbors from discrimination. We are faith leaders, parents, law enforcement officers, veterans, and people of all political ideologies committed to making Virginia a safe place for all people to live, work, and play.

Everyone should feel welcome in our Commonwealth, no matter who they are or who they love. But in this day and age, it’s shocking to learn that Virginians are fired from their jobs, evicted from their homes, and turned away from places like restaurants, shops and even doctor’s offices because they’re LGBT.

That’s because Virginia is one of 30 states where state law doesn’t explicitly protect all LGBT people from discrimination. These state protections matter, because under federal law anti-LGBT discrimination isn’t expressly prohibited, like discrimination is prohibited based on someone’s race, sex or religion.

We’ve always valued fairness and opportunity here in Virginia. This campaign isn’t about creating new or special protections for anyone—it’s simply about updating our state’s laws so that our gay and transgender friends and loved ones are protected under the law.

LGBT people are our friends, neighbors, family, and coworkers. When it comes to being able to earn a living, having a place to live, or being served by a business or government office, they should be treated like anyone else and not be discriminated against.

Our Commonwealth is at its strongest when we’re all free to work hard, earn a decent living, and go about our lives without fear of discrimination. We’re proud to work together towards creating a safer and more equal Virginia for all people to live, work, and play.