Homophobia Alive and Well in Hampton Roads

Some of the comments on the Virginia Pilot web site in respect to yesterday's article on the newly formed Hampton Roads Business Out Reach clearly show why this area continues to be a relative backwater notwithstanding its fairly large population (i.e., over 1.6 million people). Neither progressive businesses nor the so-called "creative class" that develops innovations and is accepting of differences are going to come to an area dominated by knuckle dragging Bible beaters. Here's a sampling of what the Neanderthals had to say:

National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Stop it before it starts. We already have enough damaging ethics going around now to damge our children growing up. We do not need to teach our kids that this kind of behavoir is normal!~(or right in any way) - James M. - Virginia Beach National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (view comment)

I Don't Think So. Only "simple" organisms are capable of asexual reproduction. God made Adam and Eve, Not Adam and "Steve"!! So why promote this abomination in business? - Tracey E. - Chesapeake

Want to know. I'm happy to see that we will now be able to learn which businesses cater to homosexuals. Those places were "I" will not spend amy of my money! So go ahead , keep me advised. - zeno n. - chesapeake

I am sure that these homophobes would be shocked to know that even Wal-Mart now rates a 65% score on the Human Rights Campaign corporate score card and, among other things, offers the following gay-friendly programs and policies (I guess zeno will have nowhere to shop now):


1. includes “sexual orientation” in its equal employment opportunity policy.

2. provides diversity training on sexual orientation.

3. offers at least one transgender wellness benefit.

4. provides domestic partner dental, vision, dependent and COBRA coverage onpar with spousal benefits.

5. supports a GLBT employee resource group OR company has a GLBT-inclusivediversity council.

6. has directed appropriate marketing or philanthropy toward the GLBT community.

I wish I could send these jerks a copy of the photo posted above - perhaps they'd blow a gasket.