No State Law In Virginia Banning LGBT Discrimination

The Republican-controlled House of Delegates voted on Tuesday to kill a pending LGBT rights bill that had been passed 24-16 by the Virginia State Senate just last week. The Virginia Senate is equally split between Republicans and Democrats, with 20 seats each. The House of Delegates has 67 Republicans and 32 Democrats (and 1 Independent). Senate Bill 701 would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity:

Nondiscrimination in state employment. Prohibits discrimination in state employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a special disabled veteran or other veteran covered by the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended. The bill defines "sexual orientation" as a person's actual or perceived heterosexuality, bisexuality, homosexuality, or gender identity or expression. The bill expressly provides that "sexual orientation" shall not include any person's attraction toward persons with whom sexual conduct would be illegal due to the age of the parties. The bill contains technical amendments.

The Republicans assigned the bill to the General Laws Subcommittee on Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process where it was "tabled" by a voice vote.

Shame on you!