Equality Virginia (EV), formerly Virginians for Justice (VJ), is a left-of-center organization that promotes LGBT-interest policies and legislation. EV advocates for same-sex marriage, adoption by gay and lesbian parents, and legislation to stop bullying and discrimination against LGBT people. Equality Virginia is organized as a charitable non-profit and provides “the research and educational foundation” for its partner lobbying organization Equality Virginia Advocates. 1
Equality Virginia is largely funded by liberal and left-leaning organizations like Laughing Gull Foundation and New Venture Fund (NVF). EV also hosts an annual fundraising event, sponsored by the nation’s largest LGBT-interest activist organization, Human Rights Campaign, as well as large corporations like Amazon and Wells Fargo. 2
History
In 1989 Virginians for Justice (VJ) was established to advocate for LGBT-interest policies. VJ changed its name to Equality Virginia in 2002, and established the Equality Virginia Education Fund the same year. In 2005, the Equality Virginia Political Action Committee (EVPAC) was established. 1
Funding
Equality Virginia receives grants from liberal and left-leaning organizations like Laughing Gull Foundation, Gill Foundation,3 Open Society Foundations (OSF),4 and New Venture Fund (NVF). 5 In addition to this, Equality Virginia hosts an annual fundraising event, the Commonwealth Dinner. The 2020 event is sponsored by corporations like Dominion Energy, Capital One, Amazon, and Wells Fargo, as well as Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT-interest activist organization. 2
Board of Directors
Carl Johansen is chair of the board of EV, is president of HRBOR (Hampton Roads Business OutReach), and sits on the finance committee of Hampton Roads Pride. 6
Carlos Uriarte is a vice president with Capital One, and has formerly served as Associate Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice, Senior Counsel with the Department of the Interior, and counsel in the U.S. House of Representatives. 7
Diana Maurer is the director of Defense Capabilities and Management for the Government Accountability Office, having previously served as its director of Homeland Security and Justice. 8
Janet Moore serves as the vice president of the board of Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, and sits on the board of Hampton Roads Pride. 9
References
- “Who We Are.” Equality Virginia, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.equalityvirginia.org/about-ev/who-we-are/.
- “Commonwealth Dinner 2020.” Equality Virginia, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner2020/.
- “Our Partners.” Equality Virginia, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.equalityvirginia.org/our-partners/.
- Open Society Institute, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2017, Part XV, Line 3.
- New Venture Fund, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Schedule I, Part 2.
- “Carl Johansen.” LinkedIn, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-johansen-06020911/.
- “Carlos Felipe Uriarte.” LinkedIn, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-uriarte/.
- “Diana Maurer.” LinkedIn, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-maurer-05057b9/.
- “Janet Moore.” LinkedIn, 2020. Accessed March 30, 2020. https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-moore-803768a/.