Commonwealth of Virginia: Equality Race

For background information on this post, please refer to these previous postings to DQN In Northern Virginia: "Commonwealth of Virginia: Disgrace And Shame" (May 21. 2012), "Commonwealth of Virginia: Convoluted Logic" (May 22, 2012), "Commonwealth of Virginia: Jump For Justice" (June 21, 2012) and "Commonwealth of Virginia: Proof Why ENDA Is Necessary" (January 29, 2013). 

As far as for the equality race in the Commonwealth of Virginia, my home state, the race seems to be stalled at times. Every once in a while, the struggle to achieve justice appears to be a few steps ahead. Then, idiocy takes over and once again, the state that promotes itself as the birthplace of such ideals as freedom and equality for all lulls far behind its counterparts in the Union. Such is the case for this month, February, 2013.

The Valentine Museum, located in the state capital, Richmond, Virginia, announced an exhibition containing 50 items of historic importance for the Capital City of the Commonwealth. The 50th piece of the much-touted collection is the rainbow flag that flew over the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown Richmond during June, Pride Month, 2012. Even though this was a federal agency and not a state one, the museum recognized the significance of this move in the former capital of the oppressive Confederate States of America and the public outcry from bigoted and homophobic populace and officials. The director of the bank remained firm in his decision and kept the rainbow colors below the national flag for the entire month. That same banner is the one pictured below. This is most definitely a positive move forward.

In the Virginia legislature, the State Senate passed a bill that included protections from discrimination for all state employees, including (and specifically mentioning) GLBT persons. The measure was approved by the upper chamber of the General Assembly by a vote of 24-16 on January 25, 2013. The Senate action was bipartisan, with four GOP senators voting with the Democrats.  Once again, a welcome move that marked two steps in the right direction for the Commonwealth. 

On February, 12, 2013, bigotry and homophobia once again stalled the measure as the timid Virginia House of Delegates (lower legislative chamber) allowed a subcommittee to table SB701 that would prohibit discrimination in public employment based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. The House General Laws Subcommittee on Professions/Occupations and Administrative Process voted no action on the bill. The two Democratic members of the subcommittee voted in favor of the initiative, the six GOP members voted against, denying it the votes needed just to be considered by the full Committee of General Laws.

This discriminatory inaction is by the same Virginia House of Delegates that garnered national attention and notoriety over the initial failed appointment of Tracy Thorne-Begland to the City of Richmond, Virginia, judiciary in 2012, solely due to his sexual orientation. After a public outcry from all over the country and intense media scrutiny did this same spineless body of incapable leaders reverse itself and correct its error. Please check the above references to earlier posts here.  

  

The entire Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates needs to be scrapped and thrown out with yesterday's garbage. They've repeatedly demonstrated their collective inability to provide the citizens of this Commonwealth with even a mediocre semblance of leadership. They should all be canned (as in trash can) for dereliction of sworn duty. As a legislative assembly, elected to serve, they have only collected their pay checks and then performed a miserable disservice to the people of this state.

Once again, the assembly persons allowed themselves to fall prey to their own fears, stigmas and homophobia. They missed another perfect opportunity to provide equality, fair play and justice to all Virginians. They chose the route of Pontius Pilate and decided to wash their blood-stained hands instead of doing the right thing and enabling all state workers. Evidently, it takes public humiliation and ridicule to strong-arm all of them into "seeing the light." Throw them all out with the stale debris and replace them with enlightened and reasonable leaders who hold true to their oath to the Virginia Constitution.

The employees of this state obviously do need the type of protection SB701 provides. They require this guarantee to save them from the bigotry and ignorance of their own elected officials, in this case, the misguided members of the Virginia House of Delegates.

Peace! Get naked. Enjoy!