Richmond – Delegate David Englin (D-45) issued the following statement today in response to the memorandum Gov. Bob McDonnell issued yesterday addressing employment nondiscrimination:
We have had much discussion on the House floor this week about whether our great Commonwealth will be a place where workers are judged on the job they do and not the families they go home to. Late yesterday, Governor McDonnell responded to our calls for employment nondiscrimination with a memo stating that he will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation or other non-merit factors for the state employees under the supervision of his office. I want to thank Governor McDonnell for responding to our outcry against anti-gay bigotry, and to the demands of Northern Virginia’s business community, with this small step forward. Moreover, I think it says something important about the progress we have made as nation when a conservative politician with national political aspirations feels the need to move a bit closer to the right side of history on this issue.
While a product of national ambition and political necessity, this is still a step in the right direction. However, it’s very important that we understand that Governor McDonnell’s directive does not carry the force of law. Therefore, now that Governor McDonnell has shown new openness on this issue, I hope he will work with us to send down a bill or support our other legislative efforts so together we can make employment nondiscrimination the law of the land in Virginia.
Delegate David Englin is Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and is serving his third term in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he represents the 45th District, which includes parts of the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and Arlington County. He serves on the Finance Committee, the Health, Welfare, and Institutions Committee, and the Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee.