Dumfries Town Council supports ERA

On November 20, 2018, during its work session, the Dumfries Town Council became the first town in Prince William County to adopt a Resolution in support of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. 

In sharp contrast to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors Meeting where the Resolution was rejected, our Town Council adopted the Resolution in a 7-0 vote.

Prior to making the motion, I was able to provide some background on the history of the Equal Rights Amendment, “The Equal Rights Amendment specifies that you cannot discriminate on the basis of gender.

Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment back in 1972 and it takes 38 states to ratify.  We are currently at 37 and Virginia is in the process of becoming the 38^th state.  The General Assembly will be taking this up in their upcoming session and I would like to pass this Resolution in support of this effort. 

The motion was seconded and received the full support of the Dumfries Town Council.

In a short period of time, the Town of Dumfries has cemented its place as a leader in the fight for equality.  The town made history in August by becoming the first locality within Prince William County to include sexual orientation and gender identity in its nondiscrimination policy. 

Additionally, the Town Council has voted to move local elections to November in order to eliminate the unintentional voter disenfranchisement that sometimes takes place with May elections. 

While I was running for my position, I was often asked to explain my slogan #DumfriesFirst.  My answer was always that it meant that Dumfries sets the example for the way in which a town in the Commonwealth should operate. 

Through its commitment to inclusion and putting the needs of citizens first the Dumfries Town Council has done just that.