LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, Virginia

Purpose

The Board shall have the power and duty to: 1. Advise the Governor regarding the development of economic, professional, cultural, educational, and governmental links between the Commonwealth and the LGBTQ+ community in Virginia. 2. Undertake studies, sponsor symposiums, conduct research, and prepare factual reports in order to gather information to formulate and present recommendations to the Governor relating to issues of concern and importance to the LGBTQ+ community in the Commonwealth. 3. Advise the Governor as needed regarding any statutory, regulatory, or other issues of importance to the LGBTQ+ community in the Commonwealth. 4. Apply for, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from public, quasi-public, or private sources, including any matching funds as may be designated in an appropriation act, to enable it to better carry out its objectives. 5. Submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports.

Term

After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

Composition

The Board shall have a total membership of 26 members that shall consist of 21 nonlegislative citizen members and five ex officio members. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed as follows: 21 members, at least 15 of whom shall identify as LGBTQ+, to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Secretaries of the Commonwealth, Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security, or their designees, shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Ex officio members of the Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed. After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. The Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

Vacant Seats

The seat descriptions indicate if there is a specific requirement for that seat (a profession, consumer, someone who lives in a certain congressional district, etc.). If there is only a number listed (Seat 7), there is no specific criteria for that seat. A “citizen” seat requires someone who is not affiliated with that profession. If you're interested in any of these seats, submit an application.
Member of the General Public 4 seats
Total seats available: 4

Current Board Members

Member:Ms. Teri C. Brown
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2026
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Member:Mr Thomas N. Turner
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2026
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Member:Preston R. Main
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2026
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Member:The Hon. Rene C. Cooper
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2026
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Member:Mr Tuan Ho
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2027
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Member:Kerry Flynn
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2027
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Member:Reed Williams
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2027
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Member:Mr Jason C. Geske
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2028
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Member:Jacob Carasella
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2028
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Member:Mr Alonzo Alexander Mable
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2028
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Member:Ruben Valle
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2028
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Member:Stephanie Merlo
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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Member:Christopher Gordon
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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Member:Paige Reed
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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Member:Kristi Black
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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Member:Aneesah Smith
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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Member:Alexsis Rodgers
Seat: Member of the General Public
End Date:6/30/2029
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