Statements by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe must be causing spittle flecked shrieks and convulsions at The Family Foundation, Virginia's leading Christofascist organization that seeks to return Virginia society to the 1950's. Last week McAuliffe announced the creation of a new LGBT tourism task force aimed at attracting more LGBT travelers to Virginia. LBGT tourists as a group tend to stay longer and spend more on their vacation than other tourists. Yet heretofore, other than the city of Richmond over the last few years no effort has ever been made to attract LGBT travelers. Indeed, the Virginia Beach oceanfront area with its police state atmosphere and obsession with "family tourism" has done all but put out a "gays not welcome" sign. Now, McAuliffe is lauding same sex marriage equality in Virginia as enhancing the state's hand at economic development. Here are highlights from the Richmond Times Dispatch:
Gov. Terry McAuliffe told a local business organization Thursday that he considers same-sex marriage equality to be good for economic development in the state.
McAuliffe signed an executive order last month directing state agencies to comply with legalized same-sex marriage in Virginia.
And earlier this week, he announced the creation of an LGBT Tourism Task Force that will focus on showcasing Virginia as a friendly destination for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender visitors.
McAuliffe said one of his priorities as governor is to foster “a climate that is open and welcoming to everyone.”
“My point, and the signal I try to send to everybody, is if you want to come to Virginia, and you want to start a business, we want you,” he said in a speech to about 150 members of the Greater Richmond Chamber.
“If you want to come here and create economic activity, I want you here,” he said during the meeting, held at the Williams Mullen law firm office in downtown Richmond.
“We really have to diversify our economy,” he said, after noting that cuts in federal defense spending could cost the state 150,000 jobs.
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