On Saturday evening, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies gathered at Richmond’s historic Main Street Station for the annual Commonwealth Dinner, hosted by Equality Virginia. This year was especially significant, marking the 10th anniversary of marriage equality in Virginia.
Prominent attendees included Virginia U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democratic candidate for governor in 2025, and former Attorney General Mark Herring, as well as Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, who is running for Virginia attorney general in 2025. Each of them took a moment to reflect on the progress made over the past decade while also acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia, opened the evening by welcoming over 500 attendees. “We are here to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of marriage equality in Virginia, and this year, 2024, also marks the 35th anniversary of Equality Virginia’s existence,” Rahaman stated. Remarkably, Sunday was exactly 10 years since same-sex couples were first able to marry in the state, a milestone that resonated deeply throughout the celebration.
One of the standout moments of the evening was the keynote address by Brandon Wolf, the national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. A survivor of the tragic 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Wolf shared his poignant story of loss and resilience.
“I have seen the power of hatred, but I’ve also witnessed our community’s ability to rise above it,” he told the audience. “We are resilient, we are strong, and we choose hope.” His heartfelt message struck a chord with those in attendance, reminding them of the strength found within the LGBTQ+ community in the face of adversity.
Herring took the stage alongside Carol Schall and Mary Townley, the lesbian couple who co-plaintiffed the landmark case leading to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that deemed same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional. He reflected on his pivotal role in Virginia’s journey to marriage equality, recounting how, shortly after taking office in 2014, he made the decision not to defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. This courageous legal move played a significant part in the eventual recognition of marriage equality in Virginia.
Schall and Townley also shared their personal journey with the audience, highlighting the profound impact of the ruling. “It’s been 10 years of profound joy,” Schall remarked. “We are a family, always have been, and always will be. We just wanted Virginia to see what was always there.” Their words resonated deeply, encapsulating the love and commitment that have always existed within their relationship and reflecting the broader strides made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in the state.
“One of my top priorities is returning us to a place where we respect kids, respect educators, and respect families,” Spanberger stated. She pointed out that “some of the model policies we’ve seen ignore parents’ rights and the journey they are on with their children.” Spanberger expressed her commitment to ensuring that, as governor, families will know they have an advocate who respects their children, acknowledges their unique beauty, and strives to help them thrive.
In Congress, Spanberger has been a steadfast supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, voting for the Equality Act and the marriage equality bill. She highlighted the critical need for children to feel safe and respected in educational settings, asserting, “Every kid deserves to feel like they belong.” She emphasized the importance of showing up for these children “at the ballot box, in the classroom, and at the state level.”
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