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发帖数: 4174 | 1 Posted on Advocate.com January 26, 2011
Va. Lawmakers Push for Employment Protections
By Julie Bolcer
Adam Ebbin Democratic lawmakers in Virginia announced support Tuesday for a
bill that would make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual
orientation and gender identity in the state work force and in the Virginia
National Guard.
According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Similar legislation has failed
in past General Assembly sessions, but lawmakers said there is growing
bipartisan support for legislation this time around to give equal protection
under the law and in public employment to gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender Virginians.”
Last year, Gov. Bob McDonnell signed an executive directive, which lacks the
force of law to forbid discrimination in the state work force after
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued a legal opinion saying that state law
did not authorize public colleges and universities to include sexual
orientation in their nondiscrimination policies.
The bill, which will be considered this week, is sponsored in the house by
Del. Adam Ebbin, the only openly gay member of the legislature, and in the
senate by Sen. A. Donald McEachin.
Also under consideration are bills to strengthen antibullying laws in
schools, allow local governments to set their own employee benefits policies
, and repeal a 2006 constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriages
and civil unions. |
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