Human Rights Campaign and Equality Virginia Join Forces to Boost Virginia Pro-Equality Candidates

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) and Equality Virginia PAC (EV PAC) announced their endorsements of candidates running in Virginia in races for Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and the House of Delegates. 

Virginia’s pro-equality legislature has prevented attacks on LGBTQ+ rights for the past two years, defeating anti-trans bills in the General Assembly despite a governor seeking to push our community out of public life. Virginia’s status as the only Southern state to enshrine nondiscrimination protections in law is the result of a continuing fight for the equality and dignity of all in the state. At a time when the federal government continues to attack the LGBTQ+ community, these pro-equality champions are prepared to take action to keep Virginia a safe place to live and prosper.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“After four years of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s failures and the federal government’s escalating attacks on equality, Virginians know that they need to stand up for their LGBTQ+ neighbors. That’s why HRC is excited to endorse pro-equality champions Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, Jay Jones, and a strong slate for the House of Delegates. They are all committed to upholding and expanding the rights and protections of the LGBTQ+ community across the Commonwealth and lead with compassion and action and will not use our rights as political pawns. Virginians deserve leaders who will fight for a freer, more equal Commonwealth. So, with our partners at Equality Virginia, we will mobilize over 2 million pro-equality voters to elect those leaders – leaders who are unafraid to stand up for us every single day.” 

Equality Virginia PAC Executive Director Narissa Rahaman released the following statement:

“At a time when the Trump administration and extremists are trying to strip our community of our rights, Virginians deserve leaders who are not afraid to be visible, vocal and take action. Equality Virginia PAC is thrilled to announce our initial endorsement slate of pro-equality champions for the House of Delegates here in Virginia. All of these candidates have proven they will consistently show up on behalf of our communities. Public servants who demonstrate a commitment to creating change on the most cellular level are often the most critical agents of change for the LGBTQ+ community. We look forward to working alongside the Human Rights Campaign to mobilize and turn out Equality Voters in every corner of our Commonwealth.”

HRC and Equality Virginia are also teaming up to offer two opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to help support these candidates:

• On Saturday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., representatives from both organizations will join House of Delegates candidate Jessica Anderson for a canvass kickoff event starting from her office in Williamsburg
• Also on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 3 to 5 p.m., volunteers are invited to come to Virginia Beer Company in Williamsburg to write postcards to Virginia voters.

To see HRC PAC’s list of endorsed candidates for the 2025 election in Virginia, click here.

To see Equality Virginia PAC’s list of endorsed candidates for the 2025 election in Virginia, click here.

HRC’s Commitment to Virginia

Equality Voters, including the more than 2 million in Virginia, are a voting bloc of demographically and geographically diverse Americans who are united by the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, they recognize and trust the HRC brand, and they are more likely to identify with issue-specific organizations than candidates or political parties.

HRC PAC has made significant on-the-ground investments in Virginia over the years, including supporting a wave of pro-equality candidates in 2019 that led to the 2020 passage of the Virginia Values Act, a law that expanded state nondiscrimination protections for all Virginians, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In doing so, Virginia became the first state in the South to adopt non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. Across the country, HRC PAC works every day to elect pro-equality leaders who support policies that will support the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ people.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org).

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.