Anti-Gay Bigotry Triumphs Again in Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has again demonstrated its open contempt for LGBT Virginians and that the Christianist hate merchants at The Family Foundation continues to set all social policy for the Republican Party of Virginia. And gays are not the only targets for permissible discrimination under the just approved adoption regulations. Discrimination on the basis of age, gender, disability, religion, political belief and family status in adoption matters is likewise permissible. Needless to say, I hope a lawsuit is filed challenging this unvarnished discrimination. Meanwhile, my advice to anyone contemplating a moved to Virginia is don't do it. And for those unlucky enough to reside in Virginia, if your circumstances allow it, move to a state that's not racing backwards towards the Dark Ages. The Richmond Times Dispatch has coverage on this travesty. Here are some highlights:

Virginia's Board of Social Services on Wednesday approved final regulations on adoption that, starting in the spring, will effectively allow state-licensed private agencies to deny the adoption of a child by same-sex couples.

The regulations also will allow the adoption agencies to deny services to prospective parents on the basis of age, gender, disability, religion, political belief and family status.

The board voted 5-1 to approve the regulations, with Social Services Board Chairwoman Bela Sood casting the lone "no" vote. "The science really doesn't substantiate the notion," she said, referring to the traditional family structure of a married man and woman, "that that is the only way children should be raised."

The regulations are set to take effect May 1. They will govern the 81 private adoption agencies licensed in the state, roughly half of which are affiliated with religious organizations such as the Catholic Church.

Under Virginia law, single people — heterosexual or homosexual — and married couples may adopt, but unmarried couples may not.

The change followed an earlier public comment period and a review of the proposed regulations by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who sent a memo to the board that said the broader protections of the original regulations were not covered by "applicable state law and public policy." Cuccinelli advised that the state Board of Social Services did not have the authority to adopt them.

Note Ken "Kookinelli's" Cuccinelli's nasty finger prints on these regulations. I truly hate Virginia and, if circumstances were different, I'd leave and never, ever come back. Never ever.