McDonnell chose to repeal the provision claiming that it overstepped the bounds of his office to grant protections the VA General Assembly had not yet granted.  This act of cowardice is nothing more than a naked political move to appease his Evangelical Christian base.   Its ironic that a 21 year veteran of the United States Army would shy away from the opportunity to exercise leadership, and move his administration,  his state, and his party to the right side of history.

Enacting protections for people fearing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation does not create any ‘new rights’ or overstep the limits of his authority.  Instead, it is a basic recognition of our equality before the law.  That’s why Virginia’s previous governors, Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, explicitly included that language to signal that Virginia has come a long way from the days of out- and-out de facto and de jure discrimination.

Where McDonnell’s action is particularly insidious is that it removes protections against discrimination that have been in place for years.  That is a declaration that LGBTQ citizens are second-class and not worthy of the respect and commitment that a government should display toward its citizens.

Rep. Stephen Webber Speaks on The Floor of the Missouri House

In Missouri, fortunately, we have leaders who will stand up and do the right thing.  One of those is Stephen Webber, (D-23 Columbia), himself an Iraq War veteran, and his bill, HB 1850. Despite having 52 Co-Sponsors,  including another Columbia Rep., Mary Still, the bill has not been scheduled for a hearing yet.  The Republican majority is blocking this every step of the way.

It is because I believe that every citizen has the right to be fairly represented and protected by their government that I ask you to call or write your state Representative or Senator in support of State Representative Stephen Webber’s (D-MO 23) bill in the Missouri house prohibiting discrimination based upon a person’s sexual orientation.  The bill is HB 1850 and with your help,  we can advance this most important cause and lead our state to a better tomorrow.