Virginia is for haters

“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. Colleges that have included such language in their policies — which include all of Virginia’s leading 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.

For years, Virginia’s marketing slogan has been “Virginia is for lovers.” That was then…this is now. Though not quite as reflexively Conservative and Jesus-y as Texas, Virginia certainly isn’t far behind. Not even Texas has gone as far has Virginia has in essentially declaring open season on Gays and Lesbians. The idea that one class of Americans is less worthy or even unworthy of being protected against discrimination should be repulsive to anyone with a functional sense of decency. Unfortunately, haters in Virginia have now been able to crack the door. Discrimination and oppression is now acceptable in state colleges and universities. How much longer until it’s officially sanctioned in other areas of public life?

I understand that Cuccinelli feels justified in his interpretation of the law. As the chief law enforcement officer of the state of Virginia, though, Cuccinelli is responsible for setting a tone. The letter of the law may not consider Gays and Lesbians as a protected class (and inequity that could stand to be addressed), but there’s absolutely no reason for Cuccinelli to come out and expressly put an official stamp on the idea of oppressing a class of Americans that pay taxes just as you and I do.

I can’t help but wondering if it’s going to take the creation of another martyr, another Matthew Shepherd, for Americans to recognize that we’re not talking about special rights for Gays and Lesbians. Recognizing them as a protected class is simply a recognition of their human rights. Most of these folks just want to be left alone to live their lives as they see fit, in the same you and I wish to be able to live. Yet there are still those unwilling to recognize the need to put the power of the rule of law behind a class of people prone to being oppressed by members of the majority.

Not so very long ago, we were having the same conversations about African-Americans, who the law now recognizes as full partners in the American Dream. Are we so small that we’re willing to draw the line at those whose lifestyle and sexual orientation may be different than our own? Will people have to die before we wake up and smell the cat litter?

WE DESERVE BETTER.