The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Virginia’s lack of protection for gay and lesbian state workers sends an unwelcoming signal to individual citizens and potential corporate ones, according to advocates who want such policy written into the law.
As evidence, gay-rights group Equality Virginia on Monday produced a Feb. 25 letter from a Maryland senator asking Northrop Grumman Corp.’s chief executive to locate the company’s corporate headquarters in Maryland rather than Virginia.
The missive, penned by openly gay Maryland state Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr., contrasted his state’s “tolerant” policies with what he said were recent actions in Virginia “dismantling the few protections” afforded to gays and lesbians. Northrop Grumman has been praised by gay-rights supporters for its treatment of employees.
Copies of the letter were distributed Monday at a news conference held in support of Virginia Sen. Donald McEachin’s legislation, which would codify a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation as a protected class.
“It’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” McEachin said. The bill, SB66, has passed the Senate and is scheduled to be heard in a House subcommittee today. Earlier this session, the House killed similar legislation.
This skirmish is the latest in a continuing battle over social politics and policy in Virginia, a state that in 2006 amended its constitution to restrict marriage to heterosexuals.
Two previous Democratic governors – Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine – each included sexual orientation language in nondiscrimination orders they issued.
Kaine’s order was an early flash point between him and then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who argued that the legislature, not the governor, has the legal authority to add language to state employment policy.
Eleven states and Washington, D.C., had worker protection policies that addressed sexual orientation, according to a 2007 analysis done by the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“Discrimination is wrong and Virginia needs to say so,” said Viola Baskerville, a former legislator who served as secretary of administration under Kaine.
Officials with The Family Foundation have labeled the policy unnecessary because they say there isn’t any proof of workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Since taking office this year, McDonnell has issued an equal opportunity executive order that excludes mention of sexual orientation.
On the advice of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, McDonnell also withdrew from consideration a regulatory change Kaine proposed that would have allowed gay and lesbian state workers to buy health insurance through the state for their partners.
In his letter, Madaleno claimed that Cuccinelli is seeking to have Virginia universities rescind policies banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Citing attorney-client privilege, a spokesman for Cuccinelli said he does not discuss advice given to state agencies.
McDonnell has said his views on those issues are shaped by the law, not personal feelings.
Furthermore, his office “hires and promotes solely on the basis of merit and skill, nothing else,” said McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin.
On Monday, McEachin challenged McDonnell to articulate his views on the proposal.
The governor has “no position” on McEachin’s bill, Martin said.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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Gay Rights should be a huge concern to business
Here's Lockheed Martin's policy:
It is the policy and practice of the Lockheed Martin Corporation to ensure equal employment opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, United States military veteran's status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family structure, or mental or physical disability; so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
here's Northrop Grumman's policy
As an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, Northrop Grumman provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to ethnicity, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected status.
Employment must be based on an employee's ability to do the job.
What if it became popular belief that people with green eyes were somehow "less than" others and not deserving of the same rights and protections offered by the constitution? And, what if employers were free to say "You're fired because you have green eyes."? Don't you think that green eyed people would push for legislation to protect them from this unfair labor practice? Of course they would, and why shouldn't they?
Nondiscrimination policies which protect employees and potential employees from discrimination based upon race, religion, sex, disability, etc. have been put in place to protect these individuals against employment decisions based upon a hiring authority or manager's personal biases.
Employment decisions should ONLY be based upon an employee's ability to perform the work. Any other factors represent a personal bias which should not be tolerated in the workplace.
The Declaration of Independence said it best:
We hold these truths to be self–evident,
That all men are created equal,
That they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable Rights,
That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–
That to secure these rights,
yes it has happened-----oldcooper
"It never happened"????? Yes Oldcooper, it has happened it happened to a man I use to work with who was also a very good friend. He WAS FIRED from a financial business here in Norfolk because he was gay and the reason was clearly stated and told by the VP of the business to any employee who wondered why, and I am sure my friend has not been the only one fired because they are gay.
One of the things I love is Pat Robertson has NO CLUE how many homosexuals work at CNN. If he did he would probably have a heart attack. Why doesn't he know? Because they are professional employees, doing a job, and they look and act just like you and I. That's why!
bigger picture
My experience, from working with thousands of small businesses nationwide, is that "protections" such as these actually decrease the possibility of the "protected" individuals being hired in the first place.
Employers have to weigh the potential risks of being sued when they have to terminate or lay off an employee. This is not to say that these employers are sexist, racist, or homophobic, they are covering their bases from a liability stand-point.
The possibility of a false law suit (which still requires hiring a lawyer and fighting the suit which costs astronomical amounts of money) is much higher from the employer's perspective and therefore must be taken into account when making hiring decisions.
I believe women and minorities have suffered in hiring and advancement practices for these "protections".
hmmm
14% of the total U.S. population is African American
15% is Hispanic
but gays are somehow 30 to 40%
must have gotten that data from Al Gore
Hang on to your hat!
Show me any instance where this employer has discriminated against an employee based on sexual preference. You can't do it because it has never happened. Maybe the Maryland legislator has a crush on the CEO, who knows. But Northrop Grumman isn't going anywhere. They are here because the best blue and white collar shipbuilders in the country are here. Next thing you know a group of German Shepard owners is going to want some special treatment or protection too.
Your friends tricked you
Your friends tricked you into those websites too, huh?
*Shudder*
that explains it,
I was wondering how he learned to spell bestiality.
Good one dude
I guess you are making the point that you are shocked that anyone who doesn't want others' personal preferences forced upon private businesses is intelligent. Way to put us in our place. After another hundred years of increased moral relativism jammed down the public's throat by overreaching government, our great grandkids will have a wonderful world in which nothing is right or wrong.