House of Delegates Committe Kills "License to Distriminate Bill

Gay hater Bob Marshall

As noted previously, Del. Bob Marshall - possibly the most virulently anti-gay individual in Virginia - introduced a bill that would have allowed anyone holding a state issued license to discriminate against same sex couples or LGBT individuals in general.   The bill was beyond extreme as demonstrated by the fact that a committee in the GOP controlled House of Delegates killed the bill.  Meanwhile, of course, Del. Marshall had gain nationwide, if not worldwide, negative publicity for Virginia.   The Washington Blade has details on the killing of this "license to discriminate" bill.  Here are highlights:

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee on Thursday killed a so-called “conscience clause” bill that would have allowed state licensed or accredited business owners to deny service to someone based on their religious beliefs. 

House Bill 1414, which state Del. Bob Marshall (R-Prince William County) introduced last month, specifically cited “same-sex ‘marriage’ or homosexual behavior.”

“Equality Virginia applauds the subcommittee for voting against this discriminatory and destructive bill,” said James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia, a statewide LGBT advocacy group. 

“This bill would have hurt too many people, damaged our business climate, and highlighted Virginia as a hostile and unwelcoming place to live and work. The majority of Virginians agree that discrimination against LGBT people is wrong, and thankfully today’s vote reflects that opinion.”

Lawmakers tabled HB 1414 on the same day that Equality Virginia, Equality North Carolina and South Carolina Equality officially launched a campaign designed to highlight LGBT-friendly businesses.

 I can only imagine the wrath that those Republicans who voted to table the bill will face from the foul, hate-filled theocrats at The Family Foundation.