Public employment; prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, etc. (HB1116)

VACOLAO supports this nondiscrimination legislation that would, for the first time, codify as statewide policy a prohibition against discrimination based on national orientation (and other protected categories) in state and local workplaces.

Equality Virginia strongly supports this legislation that codifies for the first time a statewide policy against discrimination in public employment by state and local government agencies,authorities, constitional officers, colleges and schools. Protected classes include sex, race, national origin, age, religion, disability, veterans' status, sexual orientation and gender identity.

I am very much in favor of this bill. My partner recently lost her (health care) job when she was 'outed' as a lesbian by a client who recognised a sticker on her car. She had always received very good reviews, and been highly thought of at work, but once her supervisor discovered she was gay, she was no longer welcome. This was not due to any 'inappropriate' behavior; it was simply that she had a rainbow sticker on her car and did not lie when questioned about it.

I support this bill in particular as it pertains to Veterans.

Prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of characteristics that do not affect job performance and have long been the subject of invidious bias is a no-brainer. The only questions left to ask are: a) why this legislation wasn't passed years ago; and b) why it applies only to public employment and not to all Virginia employers.

It is time to protect all Virginians employed. It is already tough enough to stay employed because of the economy.

Please support measures that seek to end ALL discrimination in employment. In this modern era, it is uncontainable that any employer would insist upon being free to discriminate against individuals for anything else other than their ability to perform their job. That's wrong, and every lawmaker knows it. It's time for our legislators to step up and vote on the right side of history, even if that means confronting your phobias and discomfort, reforming long-held irrational positions, and disappointing some sanctimonious constituents.

per Mr Graydon's perfectly phrased question:

The reason(s) why this reasonable policy and legislation - already supported by most businesses. and by a majority of Virginians - is not passed by legislators, is lust for power by politicians, and the deceits, manipulations, and hypocrisies they use to maintain greedy power.

The early Christian writers who knew Jesus tell us:
1John.4.1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1John.4.12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1John.4.20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

For, Cuccinelli, and McDonnell, like so many other queen-come-lately Republicans bludgeon gay people for the sake of votes, in order to distract the public from their own sins, they speak hateful words about others to gain votes. And, Democrats have been guilty, too, for falling into this trap of dishonesty and fear-mongering.

We see from the Christian scriptures that speaking hate about our neighbors - who they can see - while claiming to love God - who they cannot see -is a ‘test’ that the Christian tell us to employ: speaking gay-hatred show they those politicians, and pastors, and other leaders, are actually false prophets and liars.

Until some leaders are able to step outside this evil circle of hypocrisy, this discrimination may continue. And, this evil circle will expand ... bringing abuse and harm to many innocents.

But that is not the end of the story: since those who perpetuate this evil circle or greed, deceit and fear, must eventually stand before the Judgement Seat of the Holy One.

Years ago, when the Fairfax Board of Supervisors first began to request permission to end discrimination in Fairfax County, our local gay republicans (at that time) said they could not support the effort because it was too broad, but said they could support banning discrimination by PUBLIC employers, only. NOW IS THE TIME for such republicans and democrats alike to come together. Making GOVERNMENT discrimination illegal is COMMON GROUND!

Very much in favor of this. All forms of discrimination are wrong and should be prohibited.