The Virginia Senate on Wednesday passed legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation in state employment, though the matter has already stalled in the House of Delegates.
“As lawmakers, it is important for us to ensure that all Virginians are protected from this ugly practice regardless of their race, gender, religion or sexual orientation,” said the bill’s patron, Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico.
Non-discrimination legislation, however, was laid to rest in a House subcommittee Tuesday.
The Senate passed a similar bill last year, which was also shot down in the House. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli made waves on the issue last year when he wrote to state universities saying they lacked the authority to protect gays from discrimination.
Gov. Bob McDonnell subsequently issued an executive directive, which lacks the force of law, prohibiting such discrimination in the state workforce.
