Happy Pride Month!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The Stonewall Uprising, led by Transgender women of color, was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ people have had on history.

2021 Pride Season Festivals and Events

LGBTQ Organizations to support:

• Equality Virginia 
• CASA Brumar Foundation
• Diversity Richmond
• Side by Side 
• The Collab Spot 
• Nationz Foundation Inc. 
• Black Pride RVA
• Southerners on New Ground

 Updates

June Primary Early Voting

The registrar’s offices and satellite voting locations are open for in-person early voting today and tomorrow. Saturday, June 5 is the last day to vote early in person.  Primary election day is Tuesday, June 8. Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Primary day and if you’re in line by 7 pm, you’ll be able to vote.  

You can also find your polling place by entering your information on the department of elections website. 

Free Rides to the Polls

The Central Virginia Chapter APRI will be providing free safe rides to voting locations on: 

• Saturday, June 5th, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 8th, 8:00 AM-6:00 PM (Primary Election Day)

Call (804) 228-1744 to schedule your pickup time.

 News

Virginia 

“The first African-American admiral in the U.S. Navy will now be honored every year in Virginia. June 2, is now Admiral Samuel Gravely Jr. Day in the Commonwealth. Gov. Ralph Northam made this announcement on the 50th anniversary of Gravely becoming the first African-American to rise to the rank of admiral. He was also the first Black man to command a U.S. Navy warship.” [WRIC] [READ MORE]

Healthcare

“On July 1, home healthcare workers serving Medicaid patients will be eligible for 40 hours of paid sick leave per year. Approximately 30,000 employees would be impacted, according to the Governor’s office. Women and women of color typically fill these positions.” [WTVR] [READ MORE]

Redistricting

The Virginia Redistricting Commission will not rush drawing new maps for this November general election after the Census Bureau confirms redistricting data will be available August 16. This means the Virginia general election will be run on current maps. [WVTF] [READ MORE]

Upcoming Events

100 Leaders for 100% Clean Energy

Join Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, Hip Hop Caucus, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and partners at the US Capitol as they host 100 prominent leaders to endorse President Biden’s climate & infrastructure plan, with an emphasis on the key goal of achieving a 100% clean energy grid by 2035.

• June 9: 100 Faith Leaders in Support of 100% – Register here.
• June 16: 100 Small Business Owners in Support of 100% – Register here.
• June 23: 100 Labor Leaders in Support of 100% – Register here.

Strategies for Increasing Routine Adult Vaccination Rates 

June 9 – Join NFID and partners for a lively panel discussion on current adult vaccination recommendations and strategies for increasing coverage among adults in the US. Register here.

WEBINAR: Safely Engaging Voters in 2021

June 10 – Join Nonprofit VOTE exploring what it means to engage voters safely so that your organization and the people you serve are protected and represented at the polls in 2021. More than 90% of Americans live in areas where elections are taking place this year, so this is not the time to stop our voter engagement efforts but to ramp them up. RSVP here.

Pursuing Our Dreams Gala 

June 24 – NAKASEC and NAKASEC VA are hosting their very first Joint Gala “Pursuing Our Dreams!” As a celebration of community power, they will be honoring community leaders, organizers, and stakeholders who have been fighting alongside us for social, racial, and economic justice. Learn more and RSVP here.