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.
Speaking to The Advocate during the event, Herring underscored the tangible effects of his decision on individuals and families. “I always try to keep the focus on the real-world impact that the work we do has on individuals’ lives and families’ lives,” he stated. “The case that we worked on for marriage equality is one of those cases that changed lives, and it’s incredibly gratifying to be here tonight to celebrate that victory.”
However, Herring also acknowledged that the progress made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights has encountered setbacks, particularly under the current Republican leadership in Virginia. “Progress is not guaranteed, and it requires continuous work and advocacy,” he said, citing the rollback of protections for transgender students and the attacks on LGBTQ+ youth in Virginia schools. “We need to look at this time and redouble our efforts.”
Herring’s concerns were particularly evident regarding the controversial 2023 “Model Policies to Ensure Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools.” These policies, implemented under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, mandate facility usage based on sex assigned at birth and require parental consent for any changes to names or pronouns. The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has challenged these policies in two lawsuits, arguing that they violate a 2020 state law requiring inclusive treatment for transgender and nonbinary students. The ACLU contends that the policies discriminate against transgender students and have already led to instances of unlawful discrimination.
Virginia state Del. Michelle Maldonado spoke out about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, highlighting the critical need for safe spaces. In an interview with The Advocate, she stated, “This event is all about celebrating what we want our communities to be—open arms, allowing us to be all of who we are, wherever we are. We’ve seen attacks on our children escalate, but we’re not having it. No version of our caucus won’t stand firm for our kids and young adults.”
Maldonado, a second-term legislator, has been actively involved in combating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Virginia. She emphasized the Democrats’ role in blocking harmful policies in recent years, saying, “Our kids have to feel safe in school, and they need to know they can find support in their communities.”
Rep. Abigail Spanberger echoed these sentiments in her own interview with The Advocate. As the Democratic candidate for governor in 2025, Spanberger underscored her commitment to restoring protections for LGBTQ+ youth and families in Virginia, which she asserted have been undermined by the current administration’s policies.
“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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