NORFOLK, Va. — Bills are flying through the General Assembly. Among them are many on LGBTQ rights.
Hampton Roads-area resource group LGBT Life Center said it's been patiently waiting for a shift in power so these progressive measures can finally bring Virginia up to speed with other states.
Almost every cause has its lobby day at the General Assembly. Tuesday was Equality Virginia's Day of Action at the capitol.
For years, Virginia LGBT rights advocates have trekked to Richmond, pushing for change.
"Today we sent 50 people to Richmond to go and talk to their local representatives about these bills and tell their stories about why it's important to them to have these protections," Corey Mohr with LGBT Life Center said.
This year, 2020, may finally be the year of results.
"There's a lot of excitement I think with newly elected officials and the possibility that things are going to get passed," Mohr said.
With Democrats in control of both chambers and heading many committees, bills that make substantial strides in the fight for equality are chugging along.
"It's particularly exciting because it's the first time ever we have gotten out of committee," he said.
Some of the bills cover discrimination.
"So, right now in Virginia, you can get fired from your job because you're gay. That's perfectly legal," he said. "You can get kicked out of a restaurant, you can get kicked out of housing."
Another bill would allow people to change the designated sex on their birth certificate. And there's a lot more, including banning conversion therapy for youth and adding "sexual orientation" to categories of hate crimes recognized by the state.
LGBT Life Center said it's about time Virginia stands up and does the right thing.
"It is sad that it took so long, but it feels really nice and it's really hopeful that we're now changing that," Mohr said.
Equality Virginia is tracking these bills. For more information, go here.