Earlier in the week I spoke of my disgust with the action by a Virginia House of Delegates committee that killed a bill that would have protected gay state employees from being fired because of their sexual orientation. The bill had previously been passed by the Virginia Senate. Sadly, the GOP controlled House of Delegates frequently acts as little more than the legislative arm of Daddy Dobson's Virginia affiliate, The Family Foundation, that seeks to impose its "Biblical world view" on all Virginians whether they like it or not. In the process, the Virginia General Assembly makes a mockery of Thomas Jefferson's Statute for Religious Freedom which remains an oft ignored portion of the Code of Virginia. The Virginian Pilot - frequently not the most liberal of newspapers - has come out with a editorial decrying the action of the House of Delegates. Here are some highlights:*
If you knew the driver of the snowplow that cleared your street two weeks ago was gay, would you shoo him away the next time a winter storm hit Hampton Roads? If your car broke down on the interstate and a state trooper stopped to help, would her sexual orientation be important?
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Those questions seem ridiculous to most people. The nation is still grappling with questions about same-sex marriage and gays in the military, but there is broad support for granting workers protections against employment discrimination based on their sexual orientation. A 2008 Gallup poll showed nine out of 10 Americans believe gays deserve equal rights for job opportunities. A Virginia poll that same year produced identical results.
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After coming to work each day for eight years knowing that they were guaranteed equal treatment in hiring and promotion decisions, gay state workers are now left to wonder and worry about their careers.
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The state Senate did its part to rectify that wrong on Monday when members approved a bill that would formally ban bias based on sexual orientation in the state work force.
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Only one Republican senator supported the measure. "It's just a matter of fairness," said Suffolk's Fred Quayle. "I don't think most people do discriminate, and I don't know why anyone would hesitate to say that." Quayle is a quiet, unpretentious lawmaker who works diligently to represent all of his constituents. He understands this is an issue of fundamental decency. Sadly, that insight is in short supply in the House of Delegates, which killed a similar measure Tuesday.
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McDonnell should publicly and unequivocally ask House leaders to pass this legislation. If they refuse, McDonnell should sign the same executive order penned by his predecessors.
McDonnell is no longer one of 100 delegates waiting for instructions from their leaders. He is the governor - the person with the state's loudest megaphone and the face of its conscience. State workers are waiting for reassurance from their chief executive. They deserve no less.
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McDonnell claims to oppose discrimination of any kind, yet as Attorney General his office did all in its power to defend the Virginia Museum of Natural History which fired Michael Moore because he is gay. With all due respect, Mr. McDonnell is a liar. I know first hand because I'm Michael Moore's attorney.
If you knew the driver of the snowplow that cleared your street two weeks ago was gay, would you shoo him away the next time a winter storm hit Hampton Roads? If your car broke down on the interstate and a state trooper stopped to help, would her sexual orientation be important?
*
Those questions seem ridiculous to most people. The nation is still grappling with questions about same-sex marriage and gays in the military, but there is broad support for granting workers protections against employment discrimination based on their sexual orientation. A 2008 Gallup poll showed nine out of 10 Americans believe gays deserve equal rights for job opportunities. A Virginia poll that same year produced identical results.
*
After coming to work each day for eight years knowing that they were guaranteed equal treatment in hiring and promotion decisions, gay state workers are now left to wonder and worry about their careers.
*
The state Senate did its part to rectify that wrong on Monday when members approved a bill that would formally ban bias based on sexual orientation in the state work force.
*
Only one Republican senator supported the measure. "It's just a matter of fairness," said Suffolk's Fred Quayle. "I don't think most people do discriminate, and I don't know why anyone would hesitate to say that." Quayle is a quiet, unpretentious lawmaker who works diligently to represent all of his constituents. He understands this is an issue of fundamental decency. Sadly, that insight is in short supply in the House of Delegates, which killed a similar measure Tuesday.
*
McDonnell should publicly and unequivocally ask House leaders to pass this legislation. If they refuse, McDonnell should sign the same executive order penned by his predecessors.
McDonnell is no longer one of 100 delegates waiting for instructions from their leaders. He is the governor - the person with the state's loudest megaphone and the face of its conscience. State workers are waiting for reassurance from their chief executive. They deserve no less.
*
McDonnell claims to oppose discrimination of any kind, yet as Attorney General his office did all in its power to defend the Virginia Museum of Natural History which fired Michael Moore because he is gay. With all due respect, Mr. McDonnell is a liar. I know first hand because I'm Michael Moore's attorney.
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