McAuliffe Pledges to Sign Executive Order Banning Discrimination Against LGBT State Employees

Elections do make a difference as evidenced by Terry McAuliffe's pledge to sign an Executive Order banning anti-gay discrimination against LGBT state employees as soon as he is sworn in as Governor of Virginia.  Hopefully, the uncounted provisional ballots will put Mark Herring over the top in the race for Attorney General so that there will not be efforts made by the AG's office to sabotage McAuliffe's order.  The Washington Blade has details.  Here are excerpts:

Virginia Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe on Wednesday said his first executive order will be to ban discrimination against LGBT state employees.

The former chair of the Democratic National Committee made the comments during a Richmond press conference at which he announced members of his transition team that state Del. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond) will chair. McAuliffe in April expressed support for such an executive order during a speech he gave at Equality Virginia’s annual dinner in Richmond.

“I will make sure that every single individual in the commonwealth of Virginia is treated fair and equal,” McAuliffe said at the time.

McAuliffe also highlighted his support of marriage rights for same-sex couples during the Richmond press conference.

Equality Virginia Executive Director James Parrish earlier on Wednesday categorized McAuliffe and Northam’s election as “a real turning point” for the state.

“The commonwealth has never before had somebody in the governor’s seat who so openly supports equality for all Virginians,” Parrish said. “Equality Virginia is excited to work with these leaders toward a state that is more welcoming for all families.”

Parrish conceded, however, progress on LGBT-specific issues will remain a challenge because a number of anti-gay incumbents won re-election. These include state Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) who co-sponsored the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage that voters approved in 2006.

“Unfortunately, the newly elected House of Delegates will continue to be a major road block to achieving equality in Virginia,” Parrish said.

Personally, I am happy to have an opportunity to talk with McAuliffe earlier in the election season and believe he is sincere in his support of LGBT equality: