Virginia Updates!

Happy March! As we kick off this new month we want to highlight some of the great work our Poderosas are doing in Virginia!

Policy Advocacy Updates

This legislative session, the Latina Institute Virginia, along with partners from Birth in Color, ReproRising VA, ACLU-VA, Planned Parenthood VA, and Progress Virginia, have worked to advocate for a number of proactive policies that would protect sexual and reproductive health and rights in the state, including:

• Contraceptive Equity Act (SB238 & HB819)
• Menstrual Data Privacy (SB16 & HB78)
• Extradition Prohibition (SB15 & HB1539)
• Board of Medicine Bill (SB716 & HB519)

As of today  almost all bills have made it through their respective committees and are expected to be sent to Governor Glenn Youngkin in the coming weeks.

In other good news, this session, legislators introduced two abortion bans, several anti-reproductive freedom bills, and eleven anti-trans bills, all of which were defeated before crossover. On February 7, Gabriella Watson, State Policy Advocate, joined partners and testified in the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee in opposition to a “Reasons” Ban (HB1184) and Total Abortion Ban (HB1364).

On Feb 14, Gabby joined Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) for their annual Lobby Day and met with Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy, Senator Danica Roem, and Delegate Josh Thomas.

Organizing Updates

Aside from legislative/policy advancements, The Latina Institute Virginia also held its first signature event of the year, Get to Know Latina Institute VA! Being that it was the first event, we used the time to continue to build relational bonds with new and old poderoses alike and to cultivate a safe and inviting space that allowed poderoses to be tender with one another, feel empowered to share, and learn from one another while doing it. We also shared the organizing and advocacy hopes and goals that the Latina Institute VA team has for the rest of the year and how we envision growth for our team in the community work and programming we do. We are proud of the work we’ve done so far in cultivating that safe space and are elated for what’s to come.

Unfortunately, we were having such a great time during the GTKLIVA event that we didn’t all take a photo of the virtual event *cries*. But, we did take a cute, matching staff pic when we debriefed in the end.

Upcoming Events

Look out for these upcoming events!

• End of Legislative Session Rally in Richmond, VA with Coalition partners in the Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance (VREA)
  • Saturday, March 9th at 12pm https://secure.everyaction.com/Vq9slQDA2kuDodeEQ_4i8A2
• March Cafecito slated for March 27th
  • Stay tuned for links on our social media or website!