Equality Arlington joined with Arlington Gender Identity Alliance, Alexandrians Committed to Equality, Defenders of Public Education, Equality Loudoun, FCPS Pride, Falls Church City Schools Pride Alliance, and Loudoun 4 All to issue a joint letter urging Virginia Attorney General-Elect Jay Jones to protect transgender students in Northern Virginia.

Equality Arlington opposes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance.” We urge HHS to maintain its commitment to a robust disability civil rights framework that continues to recognize disabilities based on a gender dysphoria diagnosis and request that HHS leave the final rule issued in 2024 in place.

Equality Arlington joined with 46 other Virginia organizations to issue a joint statement calling on Virginia leaders to defend evidence-based health care, protect transgender young people, and reject political interference in medical decisions.

Equality Arlington opposes the Virginia Board of Health’s proposed regulation to prevent transgender women from participating in women’s sports throughout Virginia and from using women’s changing rooms or bathrooms. The proposed regulatory action is in direct violation of the Virginia Human Rights Act which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and would cause significant harm to transgender women. We urge the Board of Health to halt their proposed regulatory action.

Equality Arlington condemns Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’ anti-LGBTQ+ remarks during the gubernatorial debate last night. Earle-Sears said firing workers for being gay and denying a marriage license to a same-sex couple do not constitute discrimination—despite both being illegal under Virginia law. We are also appalled by her continued attacks on the very existence of transgender individuals in our commonwealth. We call on the Lt. Governor, and all candidates running for state-wide office, to denounce discrimination, as defined by Virginia law, against all people.

Equality Arlington sent the five candidates running for County Board in the November 2025 General Election a questionnaire with questions about issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community in Arlington, Virginia. Equality Arlington graded the candidates on how well their responses demonstrate an understanding of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and how their proposed actions or inaction would impact the LGBTQ+ community.

Equality Arlington has been made aware of the racist sign held at our rally on August 21st. We unequivocally condemn its message: hatred has no place in our county, and we commit to fighting it from every source. Thank you to everyone who spoke and showed support for trans students with compassion and dignity.

Equality Arlington sent the 2 candidates running in the 2025 Democratic Primary for Arlington County Board a questionnaire about their stances on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and related policy issues. Equality Arlington will not be endorsing any candidate this cycle but we think it is important that the community is aware of the candidates’ responses and take these into account when casting their vote.

Equality Arlington condemns passage by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 14^th of H.R. 28, a trans athlete ban. We urge Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to work with their Senate colleagues to ensure its defeat. This bill is an unscientific attempt to dehumanize young transgender Americans and establish a precedent for systematically denying the legitimacy of transgender people’s existence.

Equality Arlington echoes the shock, grief, and outrage of Arlington residents that a serial sex offender was able to access the Washington-Liberty pool in violation of the law and Arlington Public School policy and was, as a result, able to commit acts of indecency in the women’s locker room. We condemn efforts by some to use the pain and suffering caused by this person’s actions to attack and seek to harm transgender individuals.