On Tuesday June 16, 2020 community members, representatives from PFLAG – Prince William, the Casa BruMar Foundation, and Equality Prince William gathered for the Pride Proclamation Rally. They joyfully celebrated Monday’s (June 15, 2020) Supreme Court ruling that LGBTQ+ individuals are protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, therefore protecting them from discrimination in the workplace.

Danica Roem (D) Virginia House of Delegate from District 13, was also there to celebrate Virginia’s continued efforts to improve the rights and protects for the LGBTQ+ community in Prince William County. She boasted of this year’s successes, including The Virginia Values Act which offers discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in housing, employment, public spaces, and credit applications. In addition to The Virginia’s Values Act, Roem’s speech celebrated the HB 1049, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and HB 1429, prohibiting a health carrier from denying or limiting coverage, or raising costs based on transgender status and gender identity. Lastly, she praised the continued activism and dedication of the community and the Prince William County School Board that relentlessly fights for LGBTQ+ protections and rights.

Tom Osina, Candidate for Manassas City Council (D), Board Member for Equality Prince William, and Elected Director of the Georgetown South Community Council Manassas was also in attendance. Osina expressed his excitement for the Manassas Public School Board’s upcoming consideration for a Pride Proclamation and how that is just the first step for the school board. During an interview, he explained how important it was to involved the business community as well in supporting Pride. “Often we look at the businesses and say, ‘Oh they’re out there, they don’t care, they’re not involved.’ but they can be…We need to bring them in as well to be a part of the conversation.” He stressed the importance of reaching out directly to businesses, encouraging involvement, and partnership. He mentioned Equality Virginia’s program Equality Means Business. The City of Manassas has over 25 businesses that have signed “The Equality Means Business Pledge” vowing not to discriminate against employees or customers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. This program, he hopes, could help spread awareness and promote a more involved business community.

Maryland drag queen performer Catherine Della Notte performed at the rally, offering empowerment and celebration for the latest legislative victories. They later spoke with PW Perspective and emphasized the importance of building an inclusive community, “It starts with the community. Once we embrace the community…and say we are not a threat, we’re not trying to take over anything, we just want to be included in the community.”

Rally goers were also reminded of loss in the LGBTQ+ community. Signs with names of those lost to hate crimes and violence were posted along the perimeter of the rally venue. June 12 marked the 3 year anniversary of the violent deaths of 49 people at Florida gay nightclub, Pulse. These names and the discrimination still facing their community reminds us, even with Supreme Court Rulings and The Virginia Values Act, and county proclamations, change will not happen if we do not open up a dialogue to dispel stigmas and discrimination.

Head of the CASA BruMar Foundation, Evelyn BruMar stressed the importance of #BeyondPrideMonth, that promotion for LGBTQ+ rights should continue beyond the month of June. The fight for equality is not over; the signs around the plaza were a reminder that legislation is not the only answer. It begins at the roots in the community. Activism does not sleep, the need for constructive community building, for honest conversation, that does not disappear after Pride Month.

To find more information about PFLAG – Prince William, The Casa BruMar Foundation, or Equality Prince William please click on their links.