Our History: Equality NoVa

Founded in 1981, AGLA, now known as Equality NoVa, began as the Arlington chapter of the Virginia Gay Alliance, formed to advocate for equal rights for gay individuals at both the local and state levels. As the organization evolved alongside the growing LGBTQ+ movement, it became the Northern Virginia Gay Alliance, then the Arlington Gay Alliance, and by the late 1980s adopted the name Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA). Throughout each transformation, the mission remained clear: to create visibility, fight discrimination, and build community for LGBTQ+ people in Northern Virginia.   

In its earliest years, AGLA focused on foundational civil rights victories. One of its first major accomplishments was securing support from then-Arlington County Board Chairman Ellen Bozman to appoint openly gay men and lesbians to county advisory boards and commissions, an action that was groundbreaking and controversial in the early 1980s. AGLA also organized political candidate forums at a time when few elected officials were willing to speak openly to LGBTQ+ audiences. Through these efforts, the organization helped normalize LGBTQ+ civic participation and visibility in local politics.  

A defining milestone came with Arlington County’s Human Rights Ordinance. After the county initially adopted only limited protections due to restrictions under Virginia’s Dillon Rule, AGLA partnered with Lambda Legal Defense to develop a legal pathway for stronger enforcement. By November 1992, after years of advocacy, Arlington officially made discrimination against gay men and lesbians illegal. This landmark victory represented not only a legal success but a cultural shift toward equality and inclusion in the region.  

At the same time, AGLA strategically embraced community service as a form of advocacy. Members partnered with straight-led civic organizations, joined the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, volunteered at community events, and participated in family-centered spaces like the Arlington County Fair. These efforts helped break down barriers, build trust with the broader public, and show LGBTQ+ individuals as active contributors to community life. This service-centered model became one of AGLA’s defining strengths and helped build the public support needed for later policy wins.

During the 1990s, AGLA continued expanding its impact. The organization successfully advocated for domestic partner benefits for county employees—one of Virginia’s earliest such victories, while also celebrating the increasing political visibility of LGBTQ+ leaders like Jay Fisette, who became Arlington’s first openly gay County Board member. Although AGLA remained proudly nonpartisan, its work helped create the conditions for LGBTQ+ representation in public office.

Education and youth empowerment also became central priorities. AGLA supported Gay-Straight Alliances in Arlington public high schools and, in 2000, established the AGLA College Scholarship Fund through the Arlington Community Foundation. Scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors who advanced openness, diversity, and safety in Arlington schools, reinforcing AGLA’s investment in the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders.

The organization further strengthened its cultural and educational mission through programs like Words by Women, a literary initiative that highlighted lesbian writers and women of color. In 2001, AGLA also achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, allowing donations to become tax-deductible and solidifying its long-term role as a community-based educational and service organization.

As LGBTQ+ needs expanded across the region, so did the organization’s reach. AGLA helped inspire and support the creation of similar groups such as Equality Fairfax and Equality Loudoun, strengthening advocacy networks throughout Northern Virginia. Between 2002 and 2014, the organization thrived through social gatherings, scholarship receptions, community collaborations, public education campaigns, and partnerships with nonprofits across the region.

In 2015, AGLA officially expanded its geographic outreach to serve all of Northern Virginia while preserving its historic legacy. Then, in 2023, the board voted to rename the organization Equality NoVa, reflecting both its broader regional mission and its commitment to representing the full LGBTQ+ community. Today, Equality NoVa continues its legacy as Virginia’s longest continuously operating LGBTQ+ organization, a vibrant grassroots nonprofit dedicated to social connection, civic engagement, education, advocacy, and community service. It remains a beacon for equality, belonging, and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies across Northern Virginia.  

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About Equality NoVa: Equality NoVa (formerly known as AGLA) is the oldest continuously operating grassroots LGBTQ organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For decades, it has brought together LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to strengthen relationships, promote equality, and foster community through social events, civic engagement, and cultural programming.

Media Contact: Equality NoVa [Email Address] [Phone Number]