Despite the local news concerning wingnuts, state wide 2008 will hopefully be a year in which LGBT citizens in Virginia will gain some legal rights and a bit more security in their relationships from bills being introduced in the General Assembly. Naturally, the big issue will be how much gets actually passed. Daddy Dobson's Virginia affiliate, The Family Foundation, can be counted upon to put out all kinds of disengenuous and false information to try to kill the bills. However, with the Democrats now controlling the State Senate and some increased Democrat strength in the House of Delegates, hopefully some the bills will make it to the desk of Governor Tim Kaine who is friendly towards gay rights legislation. NOTE: medical decision making can already be achieve IF the couple has signed comprehensive medical powers of attorney. Amazingly, many couples do not have the necessary paperwork to avoid unfortunate circumstances. Here are some highlights from the Washington Blade (http://www.washingtonblade.com/2008/1-11/news/localnews/11861.cfm) concerning some of the pending bills:
A new bill filed Tuesday with the Virginia Legislature, if passed, would give gays and lesbians in same-sex relationships more authority in making decisions for each other in case of medical emergencies. The bill is one of several on the docket this year — the session began Wednesday and runs through March 8 — that could affect gays in Virginia. Another would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing while another would allow local governments to offer health insurance benefits to same-sex couples.
The legislation related to medical emergencies, sponsored in the House by Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria), would set up a registry in Virginia for living wills and advanced medical directives. These legal documents would express an individual’s wishes in advance regarding medical treatment in case the individual is incapacitated or otherwise unable to make decisions. Those in same-sex relationships could designate their partner as the person who would make medical decisions on their behalf.
Del. James Scott (D-Falls Church) is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing. Virginia has no legal prohibition category for sexual orientation and a landlord can deny tenancy to gays or lesbians based on their sexual orientation.
Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple is sponsoring the bill that would allow local governments to offer health insurance benefits to same-sex couples. The bill, S.B. 51, would allow any locality that self-funds an employee health insurance program to extend that coverage to a person agreed upon by the locality and the policyholder. Janie Burton, legislative assistant for Whipple, said the legislation is necessary for Arlington County to offer health insurance coverage to its employees in same-sex relationships.
Another bill, sponsored by Del. Ken Plum, would allow Fairfax County to add sexual orientation to its Human Rights Ordinance concerning hiring practices, which is applicable to both public and private employers.
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