Discrimination Platform

The Virginia Young Democrats acknowledge that our Commonwealth's increasing diversity is a source of strength. We recognize that people from all walks of life, of all ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations are entitled to fair treatment from the government and equal protection under the law.

We acknowledge that the fight to protect equal rights for women is an ongoing struggle and requires constant vigilance. We recognize and honor the sacrifice of the generation of women who lived and fought for their rights prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, and the work of women suffragists prior to that. They fought against gender-based discrimination, and we will not take their sacrifices for granted. We support policies that eliminate pay disparities for equal work, and punish discrimination and harassment in the workplace. We believe that the right to reproductive choice must be upheld, free from interference by the government.

We believe in the right of all people to worship as they please, and acknowledge that freedom of religion is a vital part of the fabric of our country. We believe that the potential of faith, charity, and religion to unite us is far greater than any beliefs that divide us. We acknowledge that many of our most cherished progressive causes, from the fight against poverty, to the ongoing struggle for universal health care, to responsible stewardship of the environment are rooted deeply in our faith and values. We are firmly committed to working with faith communities to organize around our shared goals.

We respect and value gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians and support their efforts for equal treatment under the law. We support the strengthening of federal hate crimes legislation that includes hate crimes protection for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. We respect the right of privacy and believe that the intimate details of adult lives and relationships should not be the subject of government regulation. We continue to strongly oppose the Marriage Amendment written into the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a measure that unconstitutionally infringes upon the civil rights of citizens of Virginia on the basis of sexual orientation.

We embrace Virginians from all walks of life because members of our generation are descended from immigrants, and due to the many significant contributions made to our society by Virginians of all races, colors, and creeds. We vigorously oppose efforts to intimidate, mislead and suppress minority voters and are forceful opponents of discriminatory barriers to voting. We recognize that a criminal justice system in which African Americans and Hispanics are more than twice as likely to be searched, arrested, or subdued by force when stopped by police is a broken system in desperate need of reform. We are committed to equal treatment of all and believe all Virginias should be allowed to live free from the fear of discrimination, persecution, and violence.

Do you agree? If so, sign up to join the Minority Caucus and Pledge to Vote for Democrats on November 4!