If You Have Been Discriminated Against Based On Sexual Orientation, We Want To Know!

Fairfax Alliance for Citizen Equality (FACE), is collecting information to document discrimination in Fairfax County, Virginia, against persons who are, or who are perceived to be, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, their families, and persons who advocate for them. This effort is designed to demonstrate to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors the need to amend the Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance to prohibit sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit and to amend the Fairfax County Code to prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in County employment and contracting.

The Fairfax County Human Rights Ordinance currently makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, familial status, or disability in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit. It also makes it illegal to retaliate against someone for protesting illegal discrimination. County employees are covered under separate code provisions. However, County law does not prohibit sexual orientation discrimination. Yet, according to statistics of the Fairfax County Human Rights Commission, in some recent years more people have inquired to the Human Rights Commission about filing complaints alleging sexual orientation discrimination (but could not because County law does not cover it), than filed complaints in recent years on some of the other bases already covered by County law.

FACE encourages those who feel that they may have been a victim of sexual orientation discrimination or harassment, or a hostile environment to contact FACE at (703) 993-3970. (Anonymity will be protected upon request.) The information will be used to get a more accurate picture of the harm done by the shortcomings of Fairfax County’s current anti-discrimination laws.

A copy of FACE's discrimination information collection form is available on this site.

FACE strives to end discrimination against persons who are, or who are perceived to be, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, their families, and persons who advocate for them. We affirm the inherent dignity and individual rights of all persons. Accordingly, we promote humanitarian reform in public policies and social institutions affecting all persons who live in, work in, attend school in, or visit Fairfax County. Discrimination that denies any individual the opportunity to contribute fully to the common good is itself a deterrent to the continued prosperity of Fairfax County.

FACE is a non-partisan, non-sectarian coalition that welcomes as members all individuals and organizations sharing this commitment.