Va. removes ‘homosexuality’ from state ‘sexual conduct’ definition State Sen. Scott Surovell ‘struck’ legislative compromise

By STAFF REPORTS

Virginia lawmakers have removed “homosexuality” from the state’s definition of “sexual conduct.”

Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in April 2022 signed a bill that requires school boards to notify parents about “sexually explicit materials” in the classrooms.

The Washington Post reported Youngkin last summer signed a separate measure that requires the Virginia Department of Education to publish guidance about the handling of sexually explicit material and the notification of parents about it. The guidelines, according to the Post, defined sexual conduct as “actual or explicitly

Comings & Goings

simulated acts of masturbation, homosexuality, sexual intercourse or physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification with a person’s clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such be female, breast.”

The Post reported state Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax County) “struck a compromise to get the code changed” after lawmakers failed to do so. The Fairfax County Democrat offered to support state Sen. William Stanley, Jr. (R-Franklin County)’s bill to require age verification on pornography websites in exchange for an amendment that

CAMP Rehoboth scholarship honors David Mixner

By PETER ROSENSTEIN

The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at: comingsandgoings@washblade.com

Thanks to David Mixner for lending his name to a scholarship with CAMP Rehoboth. CAMP and Danny Sebright invite you to an intimate evening with trailblazing, LGBTQ+ rights activist, David Mixner for cocktails and hors d’ oeuvres on Friday, Sept. 1, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at 6 Wade Court, in Canal Corkran. The suggested donation to attend the event is $500. The event is the launch of the David Mixner LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship that will honor the legacy of David Mixner and his long career as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. This LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship, an endowed fund, will perpetually offer a student a real-world learning experience interning at CAMP Rehoboth, the only LGBTQ+ Community Center in Delaware.

CAMP Executive Director Kim Leisey said, “CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, a 501 (c)3 is greatly appreciative of Danny Sebright and his willingness to host this event with David Mixner. David’s trailblazing LGBTQ+ activism will be honored through this scholarship, ensuring that an LGBTQ+ student has financial support for their education. Education is foundational for a sound democracy, a principle Mr. Mixner has exhibited throughout his career and activism.”

Sebright said, “When CAMP told me they wanted to honor David Mixner, I was excited to host this event. David is a lifelong friend and I honor his commitment to pursuing equality, which has been both trailblazing and heroic. This scholarship should inspire young people for years to come to continue fighting for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community, along with CAMP Rehoboth.”

Congratulations to Andrew C. Wills on his new position as Senior Vice President for Invenergy. He was most recently Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor, Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, at the Department of Energy (DOE). Upon leaving DOE and accepting his new position, Wills said, “It was one of my proudest experiences and a distinct honor to serve my fellow Americans by supporting Secretary Granholm and President Biden in would remove “homosexuality” from the state’s definition of “sexual conduct.”

Youngkin signed Stanley’s bill with the amendment that Surovell proposed.

Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman welcomed the revision.

“For many LGBTQ+ Virginians, their identity is not merely an action, but rather a core part of who they are and how they move through the world,” Rahaman said in a statement to the Post. “To solely equate homosexuality with ‘sexual conduct’ is both minimizing and antiquated.” advancing a secure energy future. I’m excited to rejoin the country’s largest private clean energy company, Invenergy, as we work to implement recent infrastructure legislation by deploying affordable, clean, and reliable energy to all Americans.”

Prior to working at DOE, Wills served as Director of Federal Affairs at Invernergy, Washington, D.C.; Government Relations Director and Counsel, American Public Power Association (APPA), D.C.; and Associate Counsel, North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), D.C. Prior to that he was a summer associate with Duncan, Weinberg, Genzer, & Pembroke, D.C.; and a legal intern with Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC), Tucker, GA.