PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Urge Virginia to Add Sexual Orientation to Anti-Discrimination Protections
  1. Signatures
    416 out of 500
    Petitioning
    1. The Governor of VA (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • The Governor of VA
      • The VA State Senate
      • The VA State House
  2. Created By
    Michael Jones
    Boston, MA
About this Petition Petition Letter

One of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's first actions in office was to end anti-discrimination protections for gay and lesbian state workers. That action goes hand-in-hand with previous positions from McDonnell, which have included denouncing gay marriage, and even a college thesis where McDonnell blamed welfare programs for creating rampant homosexuality.

Bob McDonnell may not think much of gay and lesbian state employees, or the rights of gay and lesbians to live free from harassment on the basis of their sexual orientation, but that doesn't mean the Virginia state legislature has to go along. Urge the Virginia legislature to pass a law adding sexual orientation to the list of protections under Virginia's anti-discrimination policy.

Recent Signatures

Add Sexual Orientation to Virginia's Anti-Discrimination Laws

Greetings,

One of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell's first actions as governor was to cancel an order that prevented state employees who were gay or lesbian from being fired from their job on the basis of their sexual orientation. Now, because of Gov. McDonnell's actions, gays and lesbians can be fired from their jobs solely on the basis of their sexual orientation.

This is unacceptable. A person's sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with their ability to do a job well. But by sending the message that it's permissible to fire people because they are gay or lesbian, Virginia runs the risk of losing well-qualified employees, not to mention earning a reputation as a state with truly homophobic policies.

Already the Virginia State Senate has expressed their support for legislation that would add sexual orientation to the list of protections included in Virginia's anti-discrimination policy. Now that momentum needs to move forward, both in the Virginia House and in Gov. McDonnell's administration.

Simply put, there's no reason to fire people solely on the basis of their sexual orientation. It's time for Virginia to recognize that, and act to make sure that firing someone because they are gay or lesbian doesn't happen again in the state.

Thank you.

[Your name]

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