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January 27, 2020

This is a historic day for Virginia as lawmakers voted to make the Commonwealth the 38th and final state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Enshrining gender equity in the U.S. Constitution would provide the strongest protection for all Americans against discrimination on the basis of sex and empower us with the legal foundation to fight lingering sex-based discrimination in Virginia and nationwide. It has taken generations of advocates working tirelessly to get Virginia on the right side of history, and we thank everyone who played a role in pushing for today's historic vote.

“It’s past time for the ERA to be ratified,” said Nicole Tortoriello, The Secular Society Women’s Advocacy Counsel. “Everyone deserves to be free from sex-based discrimination, and our nation’s Constitution should reflect that core value. I’m glad Virginia lawmakers finally stepped up and voted for this historic amendment.”