Who is Afraid of Virginia?

In these troubling times, when the country seems to be more divided than ever, and the difference between Red States and Blue States seems to be delineated far too clearly, I thought there was little that could happen that would just shock me, that would make my jaw drop, and mutter the full catch-phrase WTF?

Then newly elected Governor Bob McDonnell of the Commonwealth of Virginia issued his sixth executive order. Here is an excerpt:

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.

All very standard political speak, right? But here is the Executive Order it replaces:

This policy 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.

Notice the one difference; Sexual Orientation. What does this mean? It means that in Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles can call its employees into the office one by one, ask them what their sexual orientation is, and fire the homosexuals. It means that ads in papers can read "No Gays Need Apply." It means that if you want to live and work in the Commonwealth of Virginia, you have to lie about your private life; otherwise you can be legally discriminated against. What Governor McDonnell is trying to do is to shove Gays and Lesbians back in the Closet.

Needless to say, this has sparked an outrage. And the Governor has responded by issuing Executive Decision One, which I include in its entirety.

STANDARD OF CONDUCT FOR

CABINET MEMBERS, EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCY

HEADS, MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS AND EMPLOYEES

CONCERNING EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION

As the chief executive officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia,

I hereby establish a standard of conduct to ensure that all cabinet members,

Executive Branch agency heads, managers, supervisors and employees

understand and enforce state and federal law prohibiting employment

discrimination.

Employment discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated by this Administration. The Virginia Human Rights Act recognizes the

unlawfulness of conduct that violates any Virginia or federal statute or

regulation governing discrimination against certain enumerated classes of

persons. The Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution

prohibits discrimination without a rational basis against any class of persons.

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.

Consistent with state and federal law, and the Virginia and United

States Constitutions, I hereby direct that the hiring, promotion,

compensation, treatment, discipline, and termination of state employees shall

be based on an individual's job qualifications, merit and performance. No

employee of the Executive Branch shall engage in any discriminatory

conduct against another employee.

Allegations of any violation of the law or this standard of conduct shall be brought promptly to the attention of the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management for review and corrective action. Any cabinet member, agency head, manager, supervisor or employee who discriminates against a state employee or prospective employee in violation of the law or this standard of conduct shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, ranging from reprimand to termination.

I further direct agency heads to ensure that every manager and supervisor in their respective agency is aware of and enforces this standard of conduct. Civility, fair treatment, and mutual respect shall be the standard of conduct expected in state employment.

/s/ Robert F. McDonnell, Governor

That makes it all better, right? Not even close.

You see, an Executive Order is a law. An Executive Decision is a suggestion. It is not legally binding. There is no punishment for not following it. Basically, the Governor has unbarred the door against discrimination against Homosexuals, removed it from its hinges, and replaced it with a sheet, and told us that will keep the wolf from our throats.

Further, the group that is "bound" by this executive decision is very limited. It does nothing to address the issue of discrimination by Fire Departments, Libraries, or the Public Works department. It applies to the Executive Branch.

What this boils down to is Governor Bob McDonnell is trying to legislate morality. He wants to "cure" Virginia of homosexuals by economic means. This is un-American. This is morally reprehensible. Whatever Governor Bob McDonnell thinks about the way this country should be run, there is a separation of Church and State, and part of that is not allowing an elected officials religious views to interfere with his civic duties.

And the people of Virginia should wonder what else is in store for them down the line; Governor McDonnell's thesis from Pat Robertson University included a section stating he felt that married people should be given preferential treatment in hiring over "cohabitating individuals, homosexuals, and fornicators." Personally, I don't think your boss should be able to ask you if you are fornicating with your girlfriend to decide if you get a promotion or not.

And of course, the really sad part of this whole sordid affair is that Governor McDonnell's medieval views of homosexuality are not supported by the Bible, but are just a popular heresy. To see what the Bible really says; check out "What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" by Father Daniel Helminiak.

The question now becomes what can we as Americans do about it, particularly if you are not a resident of Virginia. I'm glad you asked. Make your voice heard.

Mailing address:

P.O. Box 1475

Richmond, Virginia 23218

Street address:

Office of the Governor

Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor

1111 East Broad Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone Numbers:

(804) 786-2211

Fax: (804) 371-6351

TTY/TDD (For the Hearing Impaired):

1-800-828-1120, or 711

Email can be found on this page: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm

I'd recommend expressing dismay to the
Virginia Tourism Corporation
901 E. Byrd St.
Richmond, VA 23219
Telephone: (800) VISIT VA
(800-847-4882)
Email: VAinfo@helloinc.com

The main number for the board is (804) 545-5500, and the director's name is Alisa Bailey.