Virginia Governor McDonnell issues positive “directive” after moving toward anti-gay policies [video]
”Discrimination based on factors such as one’s sexual orientation or parental status violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution. Therefore, discrimination against enumerated classes of persons set forth in the Virginia Human Rights Act or discrimination against any class of persons without a rational basis is prohibited.
”Employment discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated by this administration.
”Consistent with state and federal law, and the Virginia and United States Constitutions, I hereby direct that the hiring, promotion, compensation, treatment, discipline, and termination of state employees shall be based on an individual’s job qualifications, merit and performance. No employee of the Executive Branch shall engage in any discriminatory conduct against another employee.
”No employee of the Executive Branch shall engage in any discriminatory conduct against another employee.”
Wording taken from a “directive” issued by the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell. This seemingly positive directive, it is reported, does not carry any legal force. Gay rights supporters have been alarmed by several recent political developments in that Virginia. First, McDonnell signed an executive order banning discrimination for many categories of state workers, but it specifically did left out “sexual orientation.” Also, Virginia’s Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, sent a letter to state universities advising them that it was not legal to add sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to nondiscrimination policies. McDonnell’s directive is somewhat consistent with his pre-election statements, but come only after students held protests. Both politicians have been scrutinized since McDonnell’s past writings and Cuccinelli’s stated views clearly characterized homosexuality as sinful and wrong. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
”While various federal and state statutes set forth certain classifications in which employment related discrimination is prohibited as a matter of law, our policy and practice will be much broader than this. All state employees should take comfort in knowing that we will not tolerate employment related discrimination in any form or for any reason, including sexual orientation.”
Bill Bolling, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, following up on Governor Bob McDonnell‘s directive that discrimination against state workers would not be allowed, including specifically sexual orientation. However, the legal weight of such a directive has yet to be seen. (LTGov.Virginia.gov)
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