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ADVOCACY
THE MISSION
Advocacy is the first step to creating change. While advocacy can be comprehensive of all of our efforts, within Equality Loudoun the mission principle of Advocacy is aimed at bringing the outside community of allies, groups, and organizations together to create a network of advocates that will defend equality. When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, it's proven that simply knowing an LGBTQ+ individual in a personal and relatable manner can often change minds and hearts. To accomplish this, we work to create networks that build a supportive community, fostering the happiness and growth of each individual, regardless of who they are or who they love.
Equality Allies
Equality Allies is a community partnership program that has worked to build more than just passive allies, they want our community to have voices of support in the places they do business, worship, receive care, and more. The program is open to any business, organization, local group. non-profit, place of worship, medical or mental health provider, and support provider. They go through our rigorous process to affirm their allyship in a real and meaningful way. Just look for the Equality Allies sticker on the front door!
BUSINESS
Our business community is comprised of thousands of engaged and equality-minded leaders, employees, and groups. From showing their spirit at Loudoun Pride to partnership events, we've worked with hundreds of businesses to create an advocates network.
For those wishing to join this growing network, please consider joining the Equality Allies or participating with the Loudoun Pride Festival. If you're looking for ways to become a more affirming business, check out some of our resources and tips below:
The SMB Guide to Success in the LGBTQ Market- 2023
The LGBTQ market is one of the fastest-growing sectors out there, and it’s becoming an increasingly valuable customer base across all industries. In fact, according to GayStar News, a conservative estimate on the size of the global LGBTQ market is $3.7 trillion – that’s a huge market that could be left out of your customer base unless you take the right steps...
EQLOCO's Tips for Creating an Inclusive Environments
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Show your colors: Pride flags and rainbow décor are year-round indicators of support.
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Partnerships: Show up! There are plenty of local queer events, activities, and clubs that could use support. They are often looking for safe places to host events or even sponsorship that can save lives through acceptance. You can even create Pride nights at your own business.
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Affirm Individuals: Make your processes to do things like update marriage information, names, pronouns, and more easy, confidential, and accessible by your customers.
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Break the Norm: Ads, graphics, and in-store setups often feature cisgender and straight individuals or families, creating a lack of representation and a social image that there's only one right way to exist. Shake them up and cycle in queer displays and graphics featuring families that are all different shapes, sizes, and colors.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
When searching for a faith community, it is important to know you will be welcome for all of who you are. Most of the world’s religions can be boiled down to the edict to love one another. In that spirit, we hope to help you find spiritual homes that are affirming and welcoming. The resources on this page also link to national organizations to help find faith communities outside of Loudoun (great for travel and kids headed to college!) and online resources for support. Equality Loudoun is working to reach out to Loudoun County Faith Groups to compile a list of affirming and welcoming places for spiritual growth.
THE INSTITUTE FOR WELCOMING RESOURCES
IWR's mission is to create resources that support the unconditional welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and their families in the church home of their choice. Denominational representatives of the Welcoming Church Movement created IWR in November 2002. The purpose of this ecumenical group is to provide the resources to facilitate a paradigm shift in multiple denominations whereby churches become welcoming and affirming of all congregants regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. IWR wants to help build church homes that are truly welcoming and nurturing, where everyone knows “they're okay, just like they are.” In early 2006, IWR became a program of the National LGBTQ Task Force, through a formal merger. Learn more...
Keshet envisions a world in which all LGBTQ Jews and our families can live with full equality, justice, and dignity. By strengthening Jewish communities and equipping Jewish organizations with the skills and knowledge they need to make all LGBTQ Jews feel welcome, we work to ensure the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life. We also create spaces in which all queer Jewish youth feel seen and valued and advance LGBTQ rights nationwide. Learn more...
This website is provided by the Gay & Lesbian Vaishnava Association, a nonprofit religious organization offering positive information and support to LGBTI Vaishnavas and Hindus, their friends, and other interested persons. GALVA-108 is an international organization dedicated to the teachings of Lord Caitanya, the importance of all-inclusiveness within His mission, and the Vedic concept of a natural third gender. Its purpose is to help educate Vaishnavas, Hindus and the public in general about the “third sex” as described in Vedic literatures. This knowledge will help correct many of the misconceptions people hold today concerning LGBTI people--lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and the intersexed. Learn more....
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN RELIGION & FAITH RESOURCES
Faith is a core part of civic life. Around the world, people look to their faith as a source of guidance, hope and inspiration — and LGBTQ+ people, as well as our families, friends and allies, are no different. In times of trial and in the face of rejection, LGBTQ+ people of faith have held onto our beliefs and traditions — and at times have formed new ones. We belong in every faith tradition across the world. Learn more...
THE TRANSFORMING HEARTS COLLECTIVE
The Transforming Hearts Collective represents a vision of a world in which queer and trans people can show up fully as ourselves in all of the places we call home.
We support spaces for LGBTQ people to access resilience, healing, and spirituality, and we resource faith communities and other groups for the work of radical inclusion and culture shift.
We are queer, transgender, non-binary, and cisgender people of many races, classes, abilities, spiritualities, and ages. We are change agents rooted in a vision and goal of liberation for all.
We move the margins to the center, we lead with love, and we transform hearts, not just minds. If your faith community is serious about welcome and culture shift, we are serious about helping. Learn more....
MEDICAL CENTERS
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Chase Brexton - LGBTQ Health Resource Center
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1111 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
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(410) 837-2050
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Children’s National Medical Center
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Washington, DC region (multiple locations)
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202-476-5744
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500 N. Washington St. #200, Falls Church, VA 22046
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703-522-1175
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1204 W. Main St., Charlottesville, VA 22903
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434-982-0090
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Washington, D.C. (multiple locations)
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202.745.7000
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HEALTH PROVIDERS
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
We simply cannot provide the support, prevention, advocacy, and services needed by our community. As a representative organization of the intersectional individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, the queer community in Loudoun County has a variety of racial, religious, and socioeconomic needs that are already provided for by our partner organizations. We work with these organizations to bridge the gaps that helps improve the outcomes of all community members.