VA Senate Approves Protection for Gay State Workers

On a near party line vote, Virginia’s state Senate passed a measure today that would protect gay and lesbian state workers from discrimination.

Suffolk Republican Fred Quayle broke ranks with the GOP and joined the 22 Democrats in the chamber in supporting the bill.

If passed into law, the measure would define a state non-discrimination employment policy that includes the category of “sexual orientation” along with race, religion, gender and disabilities, among other classifications.

Several past governors have signed executive orders establishing that as a state policy; former Govs. Timothy M. Kaine and Mark Warner included the sexual orientation clause in their orders.

More at: Hampton Roads!