West Virginia Non-Discrimination Bill in Upcoming Legislature

[foxfeet]

Seth DiStefano
Gays deserve fair treatment
As a straight man who fully embraces the 14th Amendment ideals of our U.S. Constitution, equal protection for all Americans, I am disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8 in California.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- As a straight man who fully embraces the 14th Amendment ideals of our U.S. Constitution, equal protection for all Americans, I am disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8 in California.

However, as an advocate for the gay and lesbian community in West Virginia, I feel obligated to point out that marriage equality is not the number one concern of those affected by our state's archaic and out-of-date Human Rights Act and Fair Housing Laws. It is hard to get worked up over marriage equality in California when you know people can be fired from their jobs, thrown out of their houses or refused service at the grocery store right here in West Virginia because of their sexual orientation.

More at:
http://wvgazette.com/Opinion/Op-EdCommentaries/200811160254

Op-Ed piece in the "Charleston Gazette." Senate Bill 600 stands a good chance of passing the legislature in the upcoming session and the Governor would most likely sign.



Senate Bill 600 Coalition

A coalition of persons and organizations formed for the express purpose of eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations.

ACLU of West Virginia
The West Virginia League of Women Voters
Citizen Action Group of West Virginia (C.A.G.)
National Association of Social Workers, WV Chapter
West Virginia Coalition against Domestic violence
Building a Better Legal Profession
NAACP
Service Employees Industrial Union local 1199 (SEIU)
Community Coalition for Social Justice (Morgantown
Organizations that have included supportive language in their 2008 legislative positioning papers include:

The West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association
The West Virginia Council of Churches
A Vision Shared
West Virginia Association for Justice
On February 27, 2008 the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, under the powers given to them in section 5—11—8 (e) of the WV State Code, voted to recommend to the House of Delegates to pass SB 600.

[bluedawg12]

1. Thanks for posting this!

I had no idea that in the USA of today such sh*t can happen by law.

"...people can be fired from their jobs, thrown out of their houses or refused service at the grocery store right here in West Virginia because of their sexual orientation."

Nice coalition, sort of a dream team.

[davidinalameda]

2. it won't pass

but I'm glad that it's coming up for a vote at least