Earlier this month, Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe said that he would veto in a millisecond a bill that allows state accredited or licensed business owners to refuse services to any person based on their religious beliefs. He made the statement at a press conference in Richmond after discussing what he described as an “equal opportunity” lawmaking agenda for the 2015 General Assembly, which took off on January 14.
“In a new Virginia economy, we need to be able to attract the best and brightest entrepreneurs here, build a workforce for the 21st century, and ensure that the next generation of Virginians has greater opportunity to succeed,” said McAuliffe. “All that depends on having a business-friendly environment where every Virginian is treated equally and fairly under the law, no matter their background, gender or whom they love.”
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and Equality Virginia are among the many groups that oppose the bill in question. The bill, which was introduced by Delegate Bob Marshall in December 2014, contains a “conscience clause” that makes special mention of homosexual behavior and same-sex marriage.
Equality Virginia Executive Director James Parrish told the media that his organization was extremely pleased to hear McAuliffe’s comments.
“We are extremely grateful to have a strong governor who will not allow members of the LGBT community to be discriminated against in the state of Virginia,” said Carl Johansen, president of Hampton Roads Business Outreach.
A day after McAuliffe’s statement, Marshall decided to defend his bill.
“So, Terry McAuliffe wants all lawyers, school counselors, psychologists, adoption agencies, social workers, doctors, teachers, pastors, psychiatrists and other licensed professionals to toe the line on the governor’s gay agenda, or they will not be licensed to practice their profession?” he said. “He has set the foundation to force the equivalent of a religious test on practicing a profession in Virginia.”
Same-sex couples have been allowed to marry legally in the commonwealth since October 2014. In fact, State Senator Adam Ebbin as well as Delegate Scott Surovell, both of whom are gay, are among the many others that have introduced bills seeking a repeal of Virginia’s constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between man and woman. Ebbin also plans on putting forward a measure that would replace gender-specific references in Virginia’s marriage laws and regulations with the term “spouse.”
The first executive order issued by McAuliffe after he came into office in January 2014 was the banning of discrimination against LGBT employees at the state level. That apart, State Senator Donald McEachin and Delegate Marcus Simon have reintroduced bills that would prohibit discrimination against public employees in local as well as state governments and housing based on gender identity and sexual orientation. State Senator Janet Howell has also put forward a proposal that would broaden the definition of second-parent adoption rights to include same-sex couples in the commonwealth.
Photo Credits: International Business Times
