Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Virginia State News

Discussion

January 25, 2013

Va Senate OKs anti-discrimination bill

Associated Press

BLUEFIELD — The Senate has passed a measure to prohibit state government from discriminating against employees because of their sexual orientation.

The bill passed out of the Senate on a 24-16 vote Friday. The move was applauded by Equality Virginia, a gay-rights organization. U.S. Sen. and former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner also commended the move.

The proposal has won Senate approval in previous years but has never made it through the Republican-controlled House of Delegates.

Previous efforts were sparked by Gov. Bob McDonnell, when he omitted gays from a 2010 executive order banning workplace discrimination. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli later declared that there is no legal ground for protecting gays from discrimination until the General Assembly enacts such a law.

McDonnell later said he would not tolerate any discrimination in state government.

 

Text Only
Virginia State News
West Virginia State News

AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Sister Newspapers' News