Crossed-posted at Bold Blue Blog
LGBTQ employment and housing protections pass a hurdle in Virginia's general assembly. Senate Bill 12 has passed a bipartisan senate committee and is now on its was to the senate floor for a full vote where it's expected to pass. The bil does not go as far as protecting LGBTQ people from employment unless it's with the state.
Virginia Democratic governor Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order protecting LGBTQ state workers from being fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, but the push by Democrats is to make it permanent law in Virginia - and to expand it to workers who are not employed by the state.
The usual suspects spoke out against it - conservative organizations like The Family Foundation, who incredulously claimed that there is not anti-gay or anti-transgender discrimination at the state level and that "special protections" were unnecessary.
The bill made it through committee on a 9-4 vote (with three abstensions).
The housing bill, SB 67, which has been introduced on the floor of Virginia's senate for nine years in a row, passed by a bipartisan vote of 10-4.
The bills are now on their way to a full vote on the Senate floor where they are expected to pass. The Virginia House, however, is expected to be a tougher challenge. Virginia residents are being urged to contact their delegates to pressure them to pass the upcoming House version of the senate bills.
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