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, please submit an application here.
Member of the General Public 1 seat
Total seats available: 1

Current Board Members

Profile photo placeholder for Ms. Teri C. Brown

Ms. Teri C. Brown

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Thomas N. Turner

Mr Thomas N. Turner

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Kellen Michael MacBeth

Kellen Michael MacBeth

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Preston R. Main

Preston R. Main

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for The Hon. Rene C. Cooper

The Hon. Rene C. Cooper

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026
Profile photo placeholder for Inta Margaret Tolan

Inta Margaret Tolan

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Tuan Ho

Mr Tuan Ho

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Kerry Flynn

Kerry Flynn

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Reed Williams

Reed Williams

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2027
Profile photo placeholder for Lissa Brown

Lissa Brown

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Jason C. Geske

Mr Jason C. Geske

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Jacob Carasella

Jacob Carasella

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Mr Alonzo Alexander Mable

Mr Alonzo Alexander Mable

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Ruben Valle

Ruben Valle

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2028
Profile photo placeholder for Stephanie Merlo

Stephanie Merlo

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Christopher Gordon

Christopher Gordon

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Paige Reed

Paige Reed

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Kristi Black

Kristi Black

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Aneesah Smith

Aneesah Smith

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
Profile photo placeholder for Alexsis Rodgers

Alexsis Rodgers

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029
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