Job Protection for Gay Virginia State Workers Dies in House of Delegates

Sadly, and as I unfortunately expected, a bill that would have protected gay Virginians employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and its agencies from employment discrimination was killed in a House of Delegates subcommittee. Virginia continues to send a loud and clear message to its LGBT citizens that their best decision may be to leave the state and, if your employer wants to relocate you to Virginia, you should probably say "no thank you." Needless to say, I am disgusted and wish large defense contractors would tell the Virginia GOP that they are making the state non-competitive. Over and above religion, the GOP loves money and large employers need to start turning off the money spigot. Also, note how the homophobes say there is no evidence of discrimination even though a case involving that issue is now before the Virginia Supreme Court. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot on this unfortunate development:
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A bill that would have protected gay and lesbian state workers from discrimination died in a House subcommittee Tuesday, a day after the state Senate passed a similar bill for the first time. Del. Adam Ebbin 's bill would define a state nondiscrimination employment policy that includes the category of sexual orientation, along with race, religion, gender, disabilities and other classifications.
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But the definition of sexual orientation, which includes real or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression, "goes way too far," said Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Page County, before it was voted down. Opponents also said those speaking in favor of the bills hadn't shown that there was any discrimination currently taking place.
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McDonnell has not issued his own non discrimination order. He recently said he considers Kaine's policy still in effect, minus the sexual orientation piece. The Senate passed a similar measure Monday on a near party-line vote, with only Sen. Fred Quayle, R-Suffolk, voting with Democrats in favor of the bill.
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The subcommittee also voted down a measure on Tuesday that would have banned discrimination against all Virginians based on sexual orientation, not just state employees.