The LGBT Life Center strongly condemns the harmful new policies proposed by Governor Youngkin that target transgender and gender non-conforming students. By removing safe spaces in the classroom, this policy will lead to higher suicide rates and worse mental health outcomes for LGBTQ+ and specifically transgender+ youth.
Advocacy
Coming Out to Your Family in a Safe Manner
Written by Guest Contributor Jori Hamilton Even if you know your family will be supportive, coming out is rarely easy. However, it becomes much harder when you come from a strict or conservative family and you’re worried about how they might react, or you know that they won’t accept it. You might even worry you’ll…
Practical Considerations for Queer Love in a Post-Roe World
Written by Guest Contributor Jori Hamilton The overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused an uproar in our nation. However, a common misconception is that this ruling impacts only women. While women are obviously greatly affected by the decision, the ruling impacts many other groups, as well, which is exactly why it should be getting…
Finding Trans+ Friendly Healthcare Post Roe v. Wade
Ever since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade, many sectors of healthcare have been negatively affected. The implications of the decision — which impact far more than the issue of abortion — have disproportionately affected members of the transgender community in several ways.
How To Improve Your Mental Health During a Separation
Guest Article written by Jori Hamilton When you get married, commit to a commonlaw marriage, or go through a long-term relationship, the last thing on your mind is the potential future of parting ways. Unfortunately, even the strongest relationships can fall apart for a variety of reasons. Statistics show that members of the LGBTQIA+ community…
What is PRIDE in my life?
Community Guest Post by Nichole Pritchard For decades, the LGBTQ+ community has lived in the shadows often leading a double life – pretending to be straight to maintain their jobs and community ties and only safe to be themselves with their close-knit group of friends and family. Being their authentic selves was against the law…
Your Guide to Being Queer in the Metaverse
Community Guest Post by Jori Hamilton writerjorihamilton@gmail.com “Metaverse” is the hot, new buzzword sweeping its way across the internet. Though the term is technically not new, having originally appeared in a 90s sci-fi novel, it is just now gaining traction and becoming a reality—or rather, a virtual reality. However, despite the buzz and excitement of…
LGBTQ Bills Are on the Verge of Becoming Law in VA
On the heels of LGBTQ+ protections passing out of committee for the first time ever, LGBT Life Center joined Hampton Roads Pride, Transgender Assistance Program of VA, and New Life Metropolitan Community Church for Equality Virginia’s Day of Action on February 4. Fifty Hampton Roads residents joined us on a charter bus to go to…
LGBT Life Center Welcomes Two New Members to Board of Directors
We are delighted to welcome Roxie Hoven and Miles Burcher to the LGBT Life Center Board of Directors. We are fortunate to add such high caliber people to our Board. Both new members bring forth a wealth of experiences, skills and attributes that will be valuable to the growth of our organization and the representation…
TIES Pop-Up: Norfolk Edition
TIES Pop-Up Comes to Norfolk Last fall we told you about TIES, the Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit, happening in Richmond. That event was a huge success (we sent 8 people from Hampton Roads!). It was so successful, in fact, that TIES is hitting the the road and doing pop-ups across the commonwealth. You can…