VA Governor Rolls Back Discrimination Protection for LGBT Employees

[Sub Atomic]

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell Rolls Back Non-Discrimination Protections For Gay State Workers
Christina Bellantoni | February 17, 2010, 3:22PM

Gay and lesbian state workers in Virginia are no longer specifically protected against discrimination, thanks to a little-noticed change made by new Gov. Bob McDonnell.

McDonnell (R) on Feb. 5 signed an executive order that prohibits discrimination "on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities," as well as veterans.

It rescinds the order that Gov. Tim Kaine signed Jan. 14, 2006 as one of his first actions. After promising a "fair and inclusive" administration in his inaugural address, Kaine (D) added veterans to the non-discrimination policy - and sexual orientation.

McDonnell's office sent along this memo from his chief of staff that they have suggested to reporters prevents any and all discrimination. It reads, in part:

It shall be the policy of the office of the Governor to ensure equal opportunity in the workplace, encourage excellence by rewarding achievement based on merit, and prohibit discrimination for any reason. Hiring, promotion, discipline and termination of employees shall be based on qualifications, performance and results.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/virginia-gov-bob-mcdonnell-rolls-back-non-discrimination-protections-for-gay-state-workers.php


*SIGH*

Will this shit ever stop? Maybe Obama can stop discrimination at the Federal level via signing statement. But that would mean he actually gave a shit about LGBT Americans.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Thank all the young and urban voters who didn't turn out to keep this creep and his AG out. nt

[4lbs]

2. President Obama doing a signing statement will be just as effective and short-lived as Gov Kaine's

executive order.

Once there's a new chief in, he/she could just as easily overturn it like what McDonnell did to Kaine's order.

Instead of blasting President Obama, how about you blast Congress, which has the power to make laws preventing discrimation against LGBT Americans PERMANENT.

Signing statements are only effective for a few years. Go for leglislation that will be more long-lasting, otherwise, you'll just be on a roller-coaster of "it's legal" / "it's not legal".

I notice that once civil rights was passed in 1965, it hasn't been repealed yet, in the 45 years since. If LBJ had just taken the easy way and issued a signing statement, Nixon (or Ford, or Reagan) would have just superceded it with his own.

[mitchtv]

3. you talk like we haven't been pushing for years and years

How about a little leadership from the Dems we put in all branches of Govt?.

[4lbs]

5. The sticking point has been, and always will be, the Senate.

The House Dems are fully ready to repeal DADT and pass equality for LGBT (read: support same-sex marriage). The votes are there in the house.

It's the Senate Dems that are spineless, as usual.

[TheWraith]

8. And there have been accomplishments, too.

Look at the legislative agenda and the public attitude now compared to fifteen years ago. We're talking about repealing DOMA instead of passing it.

[Unvanguard]

4. Clinton already issued that executive order in 1998. Obama has added gender identity. n/t

[tonekat]

6. Am I the only person who voted that day?

Yet another reason for Northern Virginia to secede. Or for me to move to a different state.

[TheWraith]

7. Merge Washington DC into the state of Virginia.

It'll turn blue forever.