Cuccinelli Says Public Colleges Can’t Protect Gays

MoonHowler

According to the Richmond Times Dispatch the Attorney General has advised public institutions of higher learning in Virginia that they cannot make sexual orientation a protected class.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says Virginia’s colleges and universities cannot prohibit discrimination against gays because the General Assembly has not authorized them to do so.

In a letter Thursday to the presidents, rectors and boards of visitors of Virginia public colleges, Cuccinelli said: the law and public policy of Virginia “prohibit a college or university from including ‘sexual orientation’, ‘gender identity’, ‘gender expression’ or like classification, as a protected class within its non-discrimination policy, absent specific authorization from the General Assembly.“


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Ending Codified Discrimination in Virginia Once and for All

MoonHowler

From the Washington Times:

By Bob Lewis ASSOCIATED PRESS

RICHMOND — Virginia’s Senate has passed a bill that would write into law executive orders by the past two governors that ban bias in the state work force based on sexual orientation.

Sen. Don McEachin’s bill advanced from the Democratic-controlled Senate on a nearly party line vote of 23-17. One Republican, Sen. Fred Quayle, joined the Democratic majority.

Democratic Govs. Tim Kaine and his predecessor, Mark Warner, issued executive orders during their tenure banning discrimination in state government hiring and workplace protection.

Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has not reissued such an order but says Mr. Kaine’s is still in effect while he studies whether such orders are legal.

The measure faces a tougher fight in the Republican-dominated House.

Now wait a minute.  Are we to understand that Democrats are opposed to discrimination and Republicans are in favor of discrimination?   When is discrimination ever acceptable?  In what ways does the State discriminate against gays when the ban isn’t in effect?  How can Virginians have this kind of vacillation based on who is governor?  I am embarrassed for my own state unless this issue is corrected.