Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell issued Executive Directive 1 yesterday afternoon to address discrimination towards homosexuals. In fact, the edict states that "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."
McDonnell was forced to establish these standards of conduct following an offensive letter that Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli delivered to the presidents, rectors and visitors of the state's public colleges and universities. This communication from Cuccinelli declared that the State of Virginia should "prohibit a college or university from including 'sexual orientation', 'gender identity', 'gender expression' or like classification as a protected class within its non-discrimination policy".
While McDonnell is being applauded for his actions, it is important to examine this excerpt from Executive Order No. 6, which McDonnell signed just last month: "This order is in furtherance of the stated policy enacted by the General Assembly and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, political affiliation or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans as contemplated by state and federal law." Do you see what is missing? No mention of sexual orientation whatsoever.
Another interesting aspect of this situation is that McDonnell's executive order from February "supersedes and rescinds Executive Order N0. 6, Equal Opportunity, issued by former Gov. Timothy Kaine on January 14, 2006". The 2006 pronouncement from Kaine "specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans."
As a graduate of Regent University (the educational institution founded by Pat Robertson), we should not be surprised by McDonnell's aversion to civil rights for non-discrimination. However, during a gubernatorial debate from October of last year, McDonnell delivered this response when asked if he would renew the executive order preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation: "I'm supportive of the, completely supportive of the policies of non-discrimination."
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This is taken from McDonnell's senior thesis from Regent:
In the thesis, McDonnell had said working women and feminists are "detrimental" to the family, and that public policy should favor married couples over "cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators."
The best part is that he is making sure that the Republican's have a real fight on their hands come next election. If he can't keep Cuccinelli in check, the next election should be fun.
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