WV Senate Approves Bill Protecting Gays from Discrimination

[furrbear]

WOW. From Towleroad:

On Friday, the West Virginia senate passed a bill adding sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination laws:

"Last year, the Senate unanimously passed similar legislation, which adds sexual orientation to West Virginia's existing civil rights laws, but on Friday, seven Republicans and three Democrats opposed it. The bill (SB238) would protect people from being fired or denied housing because of their orientation. Speaking in support of the legislation, Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler asked his colleagues to remember the Biblical command to 'love thy neighbor as thyself.' ... Sen. Erik Wells, D-Kanawha, pointed out that the Senate unanimously passed 'a stronger version of this bill' last session. This year's version exempts religious institutions. Others characterized the issue as an economic one.... [GOP Senate Minority Leader Don] Caruth said the bill would 'eviscerate' the concept of at-will employment. He also said the bill's definition of sexual orientation was too broad, since it protects gays, lesbians, bisexuals and heterosexuals. That means straight people could file lawsuits claiming they were discriminated against because they are heterosexual, Caruth said."

The bill now goes to the House.

West Virginia's first LGBT civil rights advocacy group, Fairness West Virginia, launched last week.

Comments

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

Well ACTUALLY I wouldn't say that Fairness West Virginia is the FIRST LGBT rights group here. There's the West Virginia Foundation for Equality (http://www.wvfe.org) which has been around for a few years, although they don't seem to have done much. There's also Rainbow Pride of West Virginia (http://www.pridewv.org) which has been around for a LONG time, although their main focus is the annual LGBT pride celebration in June.

The very first LGBT rights organization was call the West Virginia Lesbian & Gay Coalition; it first got underway almost 20 years ago, although it kind of fizzled away by 2000. The West Virginia chapter of the ACLU does most of the lobbying on behalf of the LGBT community here.

Me, I've been involved in various Gay groups in various capacities over the years. Way back in the day I was one of the first people to be contacted whenever a news media outlet needed a LGBT community spokesperson ... and as a matter of fact JUST THIS MORNING I did an interview with a radio station about efforts to pass an anti-Gay marriage amendment in the state. But I despise meetings, so I tend to do my little bit behind the scenes these days, letting people know how to contact their legislators. This MAY POSSIBLY be the year that the Gay rights measure you mention finally gets passed.

It would be nice

[bearbarry.livejournal.com]

My home state has never been exactly "gay friendly." I don't anticipate gay marriage there any time soon, but at least this is a start. It's sad how many good people live closeted lives there out of fear.

[teddyb.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is amazing.

Like Dylan said, the times, they are a-changing.