Va. House of Delegates passes nondiscrimination bill

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Washington Blade

February 6, 2020 at 2:22 pm EST by Michael K. Lavers
Va. House of Delegates passes nondiscrimination bill

A bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Virginia’s nondiscrimination law passed in the Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday.

State Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax County), the openly gay man who introduced the Virginia Values Act in the House, before the vote insisted the bill does not “interfere with anybody’s religious freedom.”

“What it does is punish discrimination,” he said.

The Virginia Values Act was a top legislative priority for Democrats who regained control of the General Assembly last November.

House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax County) is among those who spoke at an Equality Virginia reception that took place at the Library of Virginia earlier this week. The Virginia Senate on Thursday approved its version of the Virginia Values Act that state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced.

“Discrimination against our gay, lesbian and transgender friends, family, neighbors and co-workers in employment, housing and public accommodation has always been abhorrent and unacceptable,” said Filler-Corn in a statement after the vote.

Read more: https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/02/06/va-house-of-delegates-passes-nondiscrimination-bill/

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Hat tip, Joe.My.God:

VA House Approves LGBTQ Protections, Gov Will Sign
February 6, 2020

https://www.joemygod.com/2020/02/va-house-approves-lgbtq-protections-gov-will-sign/

Michael Lavers reports at the Washington Blade:
https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/02/06/va-house-of-delegates-passes-nondiscrimination-bill/

A bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Virginia’s nondiscrimination law passed in the Virginia House of Delegates on Thursday.

State Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax County), the openly gay man who introduced the Virginia Values Act in the House, before the vote insisted the bill does not “interfere with anybody’s religious freedom.” “What it does is punish discrimination,” he said.

Governor Ralph Northam has said he will sign the Virginia Values Act into law once the House and Senate reconcile their versions of the bill. Advocates on Thursday noted Virginia will become the first state in the South to include sexual orientation and gender identity in their statewide nondiscrimination laws.

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Behind a paywall:

BREAKING TOP STORY
‘Virginia is for all lovers’: House and Senate pass legislation to ban LGBTQ discrimination
BY JUSTIN MATTINGLY Richmond Times-Dispatch 50 min ago

https://www.richmond.com/news/plus/virginia-is-for-all-lovers-house-and-senate-pass-legislation/article_71712074-184d-524a-895f-e6e03fff7350.html

[JudyM]

1. More proof that every vote matters. Thrilling to finally have blue management of the VA legislature!

[RandySF]

2. Worth every penny I spent.

[paleotn]

3. Wonderful to see VA turn away from the dark side.

And getting bluer by the day.

[lagomorph777]

4. "Virginia Values Act" - wonderful name: take back our language.

The GOP claimed for decades that their voters had "values" and we did not.

Clearly, the reverse is true and this bill's title is jamming that fact in their scaly reptilian faces.