👋 Welcome the DMV Digital Hub!
The purpose of Family Hubs is to provide meaningful community connections, local resources, and local policy engagement in key cities and regions across the country that provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ prospective parents and families to grow their families, build community, and advocate for inclusive policies to better their and their families’ lives.
Family Equality has identified the Washington, DC metropolitan area, often referred to as “the DMV” as a key hub for LGBTQ+ families and the LGBTQ+ community. This program is still in its pilot phase and we hope to continue to grow our hub locations as we connect with local communities across the country.
Jump to: Take Action | Family Protections | Additional resources
Join Family Equality’s DMV hub network
Make a difference in the DMV
Family Equality is proud to collaborate with the following organizations focused on making positive policy change for the LGBTQ+ community in DMV region.
Equality Virginia
Equality Virginia advocates and organizes across Virginia to build a future where all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and broader spectrum of people (LGBTQIA+) thrive.
FreeState Justice: Maryland’s LGBTQ+ Advocates
FreeState Justice uses free legal services and policy advocacy to create a state where all LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive.
Virginians for Marriage Equality
This November 3, 2026, Virginia will head to the ballot box not only for the midterm elections, but also to determine the future of Virginia’s current constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The Marriage Equality Amendment will remove an outdated ban from Virginia’s state constitution and ensure that every Virginia family has the same rights, protections, and dignity, no matter who they are or who they love.
Virginia Voting Deadlines:
- 10/23/2026 – Register to Vote or Update Your Registration
- 10/23/2026 – Deadline to Apply for a Ballot to be Mailed to You
- 9/18/2026-10/31/2026 – Early In-Person Voting
- 11/3/2026 – Election Day
LGBTQ+ family protections in the DMV
Adapted from Movement Advancement Project. For more details on your state, visit MAP’s Equality Profiles.
- Marriage recognition: Marriage equality for same-sex couples protected by law. Also has comprehensive civil union/domestic partnership protections.
- Second-parent adoption for unmarried couples: Offers second-parent or co-parent adoption, regardless of parents’ marital status. Does not offer confirmatory adoption.
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage: Has not yet expanded access of VAPs
- Family Services (adoption protections): Prohibits discrimination in adoption based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- Legal Recognition for Parents Using Assisted Reproduction: Recognizes an intended parent as a legal parent, regardless of marital status, if they consent to the conception of a child born using assisted reproduction
- State Family Leave Laws – Definition of Child/Parent: Law grants workers leave to care for a child for whom the worker is parenting, even if the worker lacks a legal or biological relationship to the child. State leave law includes pay during time off.
- Marriage recognition: Marriage equality for same-sex couples protected by state law. Also has comprehensive civil union/domestic partnership law
- Second-parent adoption for unmarried couples: Offers confirmatory adoption, second-parent, and co-parent adoption, regardless of parents’ marital status
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage: Has VAP that is explicitly available to non-genetic and LGBTQ parents
- Family Services (adoption protections): Prohibits discrimination in adoption based on sexual orientation or gender identity
- Legal Recognition for Parents Using Assisted Reproduction: Recognizes an intended parent as a legal parent, regardless of marital status, if they consent to the conception of a child born using assisted reproduction
- State Family Leave Laws – Definition of Child/Parent: Law grants workers leave to care for a child for whom the worker is parenting, even if the worker lacks a legal or biological relationship to the child. State leave law includes pay during time off.
- Marriage recognition: Marriage equality for same-sex couples protected by state law.
- Second-parent adoption for unmarried couples: Offers confirmatory, second-parent or co-parent adoption, regardless of parents’ marital status.
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage: Has not yet expanded access of VAPs
- Family Services (adoption protections): No explicit protections against discrimination in adoption based on sexual orientation/gender identity. State permits state-licensed welfare agencies to refuse to place and provide services to children and families, including LGBTQ people and same-sex couples, if doing so conflicts with their religious beliefs.
- Legal Recognition for Parents Using Assisted Reproduction: Recognizes an intended parent as a legal parent if they consent to the conception of a child born using assisted reproduction ONLY if they are married.
- State Family Leave Laws – Definition of Child/Parent: Law grants workers leave to care for a child for whom the worker is parenting, even if the worker lacks a legal or biological relationship to the child. State leave law includes pay during time off.
Hub Trusted Resources
Rainbow Families
Since the 1970s, Rainbow Families has been a trusted source of education, resources, and support for LGBTQ+ parents, families, and parents-to-be in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. They offer educational programs, including Maybe Baby™, a multi-week course designed to support prospective LGBTQ+ parents on their path to parenthood, and family-focused events such as their annual camping trip, local playdates, and gatherings of their QPOCX group.
Seed Scout
The Seed Scout is an ethical known sperm donor matchmaking concierge service for family planning that is a human-centered approach to donor conception. A known donor is someone you can interact with and get to know before the donation process begins.
They have developed an extensive, personalized screening process for known donors so we can provide you with the best options that meet your families’ unique needs.
CCRM Fertility
CCRM is one of the industry’s leading pioneers in fertility treatment, research, and science, offering access to a national network of award-winning physicians, a full suite of fertility services, innovative technology, and state-of-the-art labs. Whether you’re looking to build your family today or in the future, you’re in the right place.
Summer Abel (she/her), Offit Kurman
Summer Abel is an LGBTQ+ lawyer representing clients across the full range of family law matters. She especially focuses on parental rights and family formation, including advising on second parent and stepparent adoptions and egg, sperm, and embryo donor agreements. Summer has a referral network of other LGBTQ+ affirming professionals including financial planners, accountants, real estate professionals, and therapists.
Toler Financial Group
Toler Financial Group is an inclusive firm, their sustainable, client-focused portfolios are designed to reflect the issues that matter most to you – human rights, gender equality, environmental protection or criminal reform. Harness the power of your investments to effect change, build prosperity and create an equitable, thriving world.
