Virginia's Bizarre "Tolerance" Ranking By the Daily Beast

The Daily Beast has come up with a ranking of U.S. states in terms of alleged levels of tolerance. I'm not sure what mind altering drugs the reviewers were using at the time they ranked Virginia as #11 (higher than New York and Massachusetts), but they really need to rework their data in my view. They might also try actually talking to Virginians from different minority groups as well. In my view, the picture at left better sums up the atmosphere in Virginia because it's not just LGBT Virginians who face discrimination. The House of Delegates is controlled by white Republicans many of whom seem to cling to a mind set where they still believe that every white man should be able to own a black man - or at least be able to force blacks to use segregated facilities. Muslims fare little better as The Family Foundation, an affiliate of Focus on the Family, strives to institute a Christianist theocracy in the state. And, of course, gays are treated with with fewer legal protections and respect than farm animals and household pets. Indeed, we can be fired at will by both state and private employers for being gay (something I experience personally), our relationships are afforded ZERO legal recognition, and gay bashing continues to be a favored sport on the part of GOP elected officials. Indeed, my advice when asked what I think by LGBT individuals thinking of moving to Virginia: Don't move to this bigoted state. Here's how the Daily Beast described its obviously flawed ranking project:
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In the four-plus decades since Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, America has surely moved closer to a country where people are judged more by content of their character than the color of their skin—or their gender, religion or sexual orientation. In honor of today’s national holiday, and mindful of the debate fostered by the massacre in Tucson nine days ago, The Daily Beast sought to examine which states are the most tolerant, devising a thorough point system that measures each state’s residents based on their actions and opinions, as well the scope of state laws guaranteeing equal rights and protections, which reflects the broader political will.
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These are the supposed results that boosted Virginia to a rank of number eleven out of the 20 most tolerant states:
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Tolerance score: 66 out of 100
Hate crime score: 24 out of 40
Discrimination score: 35 out of 40
Gay rights score: 1 out of 10
Religious Tolerance Score: 6 out of 10
Hate crime incidents per 100,000 residents: 1.9 (20 out of 50 states)
Discrimination cases filed per 100,000 residents: 8.5 (2 out of 50 states)
Population in support of same-sex marriage: 42%
Population that believes many religions lead to eternal life: 69%