Rod 2.0:Beta #gay #news #lgbt #gaynews

WATCH: Obama Slams VA Gov. McDonnell On Confederate History

President Obama appeared on Good Morning America and slammed right-wing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's revisionist proclamation of Confederate History Month that neglected to mention slavery. McDonnell said slavery was an 'insignificant" component of the Civil War.

Says the President: "You can't understand the history of the Confederacy and the Civil War without understanding slavery. That's unacceptable."

Watch the President AFTER THE JUMP ...

Sheila Johnson Blasts McDonnell for Confederate History Month

Sheila Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and major Democratic Party donor whose endorsement of right-wing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell helped sell his image as a "moderate," releases a statement slamming McDonnell’s decision to reinstate Confederate History Month.

The statement:

"I must condemn Governor McDonnell’s Proclamation honoring ‘Confederate History Month,’ and its insensitive disregard of Virginia’s complicated and painful history, the remnants of which many Virginians still wrestle with today. The complete omission of slavery from an official government document, which purports to be a call for Virginians to ‘understand’ and ’study’ their history, is both academically flawed and personally offensive. If Virginians are to celebrate their ’shared history,’ as this proclamation suggests, then the whole truth of this history must be recognized and not evaded."

Politico's Ben Smith notes that one of the GOP's rising stars' decision to re-litigate the Civil War plays to "the narrowest perceptions of the GOP as a regional, cultural party." That, as well as the complaints of a billionaire black supporter with a high media profile, ensures this conversation will continue. So it's working out very well for them , no?

Last summer, the billionaire BET co-founder had high hopes for the extreme anti-gay and fundamentalist McDonnell. Instead of reigniting a race riot and proclaiming that gays didn't need employment protections, Johnson said McDonnell's focus would be "jobs, jobs, jobs."

Watch Sheila Johnson's endorse McDonnell and one of her campaign commercials AFTER THE JUMP ...

Virginia Gov. McDonnell Recognizes Confederate History Month

Virginia's right wing Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, who recently said gays didn't need employment protections, moves further to solidify his conservative base and becomes the Commonwealth's first governor in eight years to declare April will be Confederate History Month. The proclamation makes no mention of slavery or Virginia's opposition to the Civil Rights Movement, reports the Washington Post.

"The two previous Democratic governors had refused to issue the mostly symbolic proclamation honoring the soldiers who fought for the South in the Civil War. McDonnell (R) revived a practice started by Republican governor George Allen in 1997. McDonnell left out anti-slavery language that Allen's successor, James S. Gilmore III (R), had included in his proclamation. McDonnell said Tuesday that the move was designed to promote tourism in the state, which next year will mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the war. McDonnell said he did not include a reference to slavery because 'there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia.' "

Slavery wasn't the "most significant" issue for the Confederacy? LOLz

An editorial in today's Washington Post says McDonnell's historical "airbrushing" is "incendiary":

"It's fine that Mr. McDonnell decided to proclaim April as Confederate History Month; the Confederacy is an important chapter of history that merits study and draws tourists to Virginia. But any serious statement on the Confederacy and the Civil War would at least recognize the obvious fact—that slavery was the major cause of the war, and that the Confederacy fought largely in defense of what it called "property," which meant the right to own slaves."

McDonnell's proclamation was condemned by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and the NAACP. Former Governor L. Douglas Wilder, who has "been supportive of McDonnell", called McDonnell's revisionism "mind-boggling to say the least".

Here's a question: How does Sheila Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, feel after she endorsed the extreme anti-gay and fundamentalist McDonnell? Does Johnson believe the Confederate declaration and omission of slavery is "good" for business?

VA Gov McDonnell: No Bias Against Gays, Protections Unnecessary

Only weeks after issuing an unenforceable and useless "directive" that Virginia's state agencies should not discriminate based on sexual orientation, far right wing Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell says a law protecting gays and lesbians isn't necessary because anti-gay bias just doesn't happen very often, reports the Washington Post.

"Breaking with the practice of his Democratic predecessors, McDonnell did not include sexual orientation in an executive order he issued barring discrimination in the state workforce shortly after taking office. He argued that he could not include protections for gays without authority from the General Assembly, which has repeatedly declined to adopt a law on the issue. But in past interviews, McDonnell has never been clear about whether he supported the General Assembly taking action. He told Post columnist Bob McCartney that he might, in fact, sign such a law if passed. But asked today on the 'Ask the Governor' program at Richmond's WRVA radio whether he would sign such legislation, he said, 'I don't know that we need it based on the numbers that I've seen.' He added: 'There really isn't any rampant discrimination on any basis in Virginia. If you're going to have a law, it needs to actually address a real problem.' "

One of McDonnell's first actions in office was to strip gay and lesbian state workers of job protections. Shortly afterward, birther and tea bag poster boy Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli advised the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities to abolish policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity

At least 27 times since 1997 and as recently as two weeks ago, the Virginia General Assembly has rejected bills to add the words "sexual orientation" to nondiscrimination statutes.

Personal injury lawyers

Free accident claims advice

VA Gov McDonnell Issues Useless Anti-Gay Discrimination "Directive"

Following the massive outrage and pushback over Virginia Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's advice that public colleges and universities abolish policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity, Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a "directive" last night saying the Commonwealth should not discriminate based on sexual orientation.

'"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,' McDonnell said in his first executive directive."

"As attorney general before becoming governor, McDonnell, a Republican, determined in 2006 that Democratic Gov. Timothy Kaine's executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation was unconstitutional because the state Legislature had not added such a protection to state law. An executive order carries more legal weight than a directive."

 

The Times Dispatch: "Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who says there's nothing in Virginia law to protect gay state workers from discrimination, is welcoming Gov. Bob McDonnell's decree against bias on the basis of sexual orientation. However, it's not clear from a written statement just issued by Cuccinelli whether he backs the governor's legal thinking in issuing a so-called executive directive protecting gay employees. "I applaud Gov. McDonnell for the tone he is setting for the commonwealth of Virginia," said Cuccinelli. "I will remain in contact with the governor and continue to work with him on issues important to Virginians. I expect Virginia's state employees to follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws and will enforce Virginia's laws to the fullest extent."

Except for there are federal discrimination laws protecting gays and lesbians. And for the second time in one week, the Republican-controlled House of Delegates rejected legislation that would have banned job discrimination against gay state employees.

Despite the significance  of McDonnell's "directive", there is no mention of it on the governor's website. And the conservative governor's "directive" apparently contradicts an executive order he recently signed which explicitly removed protections for gay and lesbian state employees.

Rachel Maddow explains the difference between an executive "order" and a "directive". One is enforceable by law, the other is merely a suggestion. Guess which is the weaker, useless one? Watch, AFTER THE JUMP ...

Wash Post: "Legal Discrimination is Alive and Well" in Virginia

An editorial in the Washington Post slams Virginia's anti-gay Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli  for demanding the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities abolish policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity:  "Translation: Discrimination is alive, well and now encouraged in the Commonwealth of Virginia."

Mr. Cuccinelli is not the first attorney general to articulate the limits of Virginia anti-discrimination laws. His predecessors for the past 25 years have come to a similar conclusion concerning cities and counties that wished to extend protections to gay and lesbian residents. But colleges and universities traditionally have been given broad leeway to set policy. These schools have been havens for inclusive policies that often go hand-in-hand with academic freedom. It's sad and telling that as one of his earliest acts in office, the attorney general would actively reach out to enable discrimination. His opinion would, in the words of a former governor and current senator, Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), "hurt the ability of our colleges and universities to attract the very best faculty, staff and students and [would] damage the Commonwealth's reputation for academic excellence and diversity."

Mr. Cuccinelli is certainly right about one thing: The Virginia legislature has failed -- disgracefully, in our view -- to guarantee protections to gay and lesbian residents of the state. If legislators did their jobs, the attorney general's well-known views on the evils of homosexuality would become quaint artifacts instead of the arbiter of policy for what has been, until now, a first-class system of higher education.

Last night and for the second time in one week, the Republican-controlled House of Delegates, rejected legislation that would have banned job discrimination against gay state employees.

In related news: The president of The College of William & Mary says his institution will not rescind its anti-discrimination policies, reports Pam's House Blend. In a message sent to the university community, President Taylor Reveley wrote: "William & Mary neither discriminates against people nor tolerates discrimination on our campus. ... We certainly do not discriminate against people on such grounds, or tolerate discrimination against them. This is the way we live our lives together at William & Mary, because we believe this is the way we should live our lives together. This is not going to change."

Once Again, Virginia House Rejects Bill to Protect Gay State Employees

For the second time in one week, the Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates rejects legislation that would have banned job discrimination against gay state employees. On Monday, a Northern Virginia legislator attempted to force a floor vote on a measure barring discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation. The House voted against the measure 55-42, according to The Washington Post.

Del. Ken Plum, a Democrat from Reston, moved to revive the gay-rights bill that had languished in a House subcommittee, saying the legislature must respond to Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's recent advice to the state's public colleges and universities that they had no legal ability to add sexual orientation to their nondiscrimination policies. Cuccinelli has recommended that such statements be rescinded. "It's particularly timely at this time because the eyes of the nation are upon us," Plum said. Del. David Englin (D-Alexandria) also rose to address the House, recalling his parents and grandparents' stories of anti-Semitic discrimination by employers. Englin said the state must act to protect Virginia's reputation as a desirable place to do business because some companies might see the state as intolerant. "Let there be no mistake - Ken Cuccinelli wants to hang a sign in front of the public colleges and universities of this Commonwealth that reads 'Gays need not apply,'" Englin said.

AG Cuccinelli's action come soon after newly-installed anti-gay Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell swiftly stripped gay and lesbian state workers of job protections.

This marks the second time in one week the House of Delegates killed legislation that would have protected gay and lesbian state employees. One week ago, a Republican controlled subcommittee defeated a similar proposal. At least 25 times since 1997, the Virginia General Assembly has rejected bills to add the words "sexual orientation" to nondiscrimination statutes.

Personal injury lawyers

Free accident claims

Virginia AG Wants to End College Anti-Discrimination Protections

The newly-elected Republican leadership of Virginia continues its rapid dismantling of the Commonwealth's human rights protections. Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II has urged the state's public colleges and universities to abolish policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity, reports The Washington Post.

In his most aggressive initiative on conservative social issues since taking office in January, Cuccinelli wrote in the letter sent Thursday that only the General Assembly can extend legal protections to gay state employees, students and others—a move the legislature has repeatedly declined to take as recently as this week. "It is my advice that the law and public policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia prohibit a college or university from including 'sexual orientation,' 'gender identity,' 'gender expression,' or like classification as a protected class within its non-discrimination policy absent specific authorization from the General Assembly," he wrote in the letter. Colleges that have included such language in policies that govern university hiring and admissions—which include all of Virginia's largest schools—have done so "without proper authority" and should "take appropriate actions to bring their policies in conformance with the law and public policy of Virginia," Cuccinelli wrote.

Cuccinelli's opinion can be read HERE (pdf). Officials at the Commonwealth's largest state universities, such as the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, are said to be reacting "cautiously to the letter." And it is unclear what legal recourse the AG would have if institutions do not abolish LGBT protections.

As recently as last week, the Virginia General Assembly has rejected bills to add the words "sexual orientation" to nondiscrimination statutes at least 25 times since 1997. Cuccinelli's action comes soon after newly-installed anti-gay Republican Gov. Robert F. McDonnell stripped gay and lesbian state workers of job protections.

Northrop Grumman Urged to Reject Virginia HQ Over LGBT Rights

Last week you'll recall our report on Virginia Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell, the newly-installed anti-gay fundamentalist who quickly removed job protections for the Commonwealth's LGBT employees. Equality groups and pro-gay legislators using that directive to  lobby defense contractor Northrop Grumman against choosing Virginia as the location for its new national headquarters. 

In a letter sent Thursday to the company's CEO, Maryland State Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery) argued his state's stand on gay rights better mirrors the company's own longstanding commitment to gay and lesbian employees. "Here in Maryland, we value our gay and lesbian citizens as part of a diverse population that makes the state strong," Madaleno wrote. "Virginia is doing the opposite and letting its LGBT citizens -- and those considering whether to move and work there -- know that they and their families are unwelcome second-class citizens. And they are counting on corporations like yours not to care."

The Los Angeles-based company is currently deciding between Virginia, Maryland and the District as a new home for its 300 top executives, running an unusually public contest among the three. Madaleno, who is gay, wrote that new Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) are "turning back the clock" on gay rights, as Maryland's attorney general has announced the state will recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. Virginia voters in 2006 amended the state constitution to prohibit gay marriage.

Equality Virginia also sent Northrop Grumman a letter recommending Maryland. The Washington Post adds: "Persuading a massive company like Northrop Grumman not to move to the state would be a massive symbolic victory for the [gay rights] movement."

Northrop is the fourth largest defense manufacturer in the world and is the largest builder of naval vessels. The company manufacturers all U.S. aircraft carriers and is one of only two companies capable of producing U.S. nuclear submarines. It boasts a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign for its protections of LGBT employees.

VA Anti-Gay Gov. McDonnell Strips LGBT Employees of Protections

One of the first official acts of Virginia's newly-installed extreme anti-gay and fundamentalist Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell: Removing job protections for LGBT state employees. The executive order was signed February 5 and first reported last week by the Washington Post.

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell has signed an executive order barring discrimination in the state workforce on grounds that include race, sex, religion and age, but not sexual orientation. The order, which McDonnell (R) signed Feb. 5, cements federal law, which prohibits discrimination on those grounds. It also follows McDonnell's long-standing position on the issue of legal protections based on sexual orientation. McDonnell had criticized his two Democratic predecessors for including language about it in their similar executive orders, arguing they overstepped their executive authority by extending protections to gay employees not envisioned by the General Assembly. McDonnell is the first Virginia governor in more than 30 years not to sign an order on the issue of discrimination on the grounds covered by federal law as one of his first acts in office.

On February 8, the Virginia Senate passed a bill that would have protected state workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation. One day later, a subcommittee in the Republican-dominated House of Delegates killed that same bill.

Before serving as the Commonwealth's Attorney General where he opposed then-Gov. Tim Kaine's order protecting LGBT public employees, McDonnell served in the House of Delegates. While in the legislature, McDonnell sought to block the reappointment of a Newport News Circuit Judge because she was allegedly lesbian.