ABOUT US

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MISSION

Equality Loudoun is a non-profit organization that builds community, promotes inclusion, and provides education to support LGBTQ+ equality in Loudoun County.

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VISION

Equality Loudoun envisions an inclusive community where LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups are fully embraced by active allies and can live safely and openly.

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STATUS

We are an active 501(c)3 charitable organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and the State Corporation Commission in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Our EIN is 84-4791490.​​

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PROGRAMS​

​​​​Inclusion is the first step to creating change. Within EQLOCO the principle of Inclusion is aimed at bringing the outside community of allies, groups, and organizations together to create a network of advocates that will defend equality. 

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Education is the key to everything we do. The first-hand knowledge and understanding that comes directly from the LGBTQ+ community can radically change the perception of queer rights issues. Once someone has misinformation replaced with truth, fear with understanding, and bigotry with friendship, then real change is possible.

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Community picks us up and keeps us going when we fall. Through social support, opportunities to meet others like us, and chances to celebrate what makes us each unique and wonderful, we can find the value in ourselves and our community.

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HISTORY

Equality Loudoun was founded in 2003 as a grassroots organization focused on fighting the largest battles for equality- public perception, marriage equality, and legal anti-discrimination protections. The EQLOCO founders focused on creating a community that provided safe places, friendships, visibility, and active demonstrations of the need for LGBTQ+ equality. They raised hundreds of books for inclusive school books, they marched in Town parades, and organized rallies to support students, community members, and other marginalized groups.

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​In 2021, a new Board of Directors re-launched the organization as a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization with the mission of building communities of support for LGBTQ+ people; advocating for equal protection in laws and policies; educating our community through trainings in businesses, school staff, and parents; and defending the rights of LGBTQ+ by providing resources and pursuing legal means to enshrine protections under the law. The founding members of this reimagined organization were a teacher, a recently graduated student, and a parent.

 

This new chapter grew under the lens of growing national campaigns built on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, including anti-transgender laws prohibiting gender affirming care, dangerous policies that restricted equal participation in schools, and the rash of "Don't Say Gay" laws that have promulgated all the way to Virginia. With the help of other organizations throughout the Commonwealth, we have begun to turn the tide to reflect the true values of Virginians- inclusion, equality, and respect.

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GET INVOLVED

The best way is to be an active ally who speaks out against hate-whenever and whenever- and showing support in the community. Whether that is through the support of individuals who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or person with disabilities, or through support of the principles of diversity, equity, equality, accessibility, and inclusion, or through a life of service focused on government, military, environmental, or other important challenges. ​

 

To help support our mission, consider one of the following: 

• Consider a leadership or volunteer position with Equality Loudoun.

• Learn more about the LGBTQ+ community through our training seminars.

• Make a tax-deductible contribution to support our mission.

• Join the Equality Allies program if you own a business or other organization.

• Partner with us to create affirming community events.

• Subscribe to receive our emails on important issues. 

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PRESS RELEASES

For all of the latest important information, we publish press releases on topical events and community impacts. Please find our recent history of press releases below.

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• February 29, 2025 - The Future of the Loudoun Pride Festival and the EQLOCO Mission

• February 6, 2024 - EQLOCO Announces Governing Board Transition

• July 17, 2023  - Calling on the LCPS School Board to Reject the DOE Model Policy