A gate valve is comprised of a gate movable between open and closed positions within a valve body, and gate having defined through it the gate an equalizer port or passageway between opposite sides of the gate with fixed side walls. The equalizer passageway being is opened and closed by an internal gate. The internal gate is in a close fitting engagement with each of a pair of opposing valve seats mounted with the gate and is shiftable by a carrier that does not constrain movement of the internal gate as it sits between the valve seats.