SURVEY SAYS....
We love hearing from our supporters. And we had some big decisions to make for the upcoming year. So back in December we asked you what our top three priorities should be moving forward into 2012. Here are your responses along side some upcoming legislation Mothers and Others of Virginia, in partnership with Equality Virginia, is following in the General Assesmbly:
#1: Employment Rights and Benefits - Prohibit employment discrimination and provide employment benefits to domestic partners and their children.
SB 263, Ebbin/McEachin: This bill would ban discrimination in public employment at the state and local level, including teachers and college professors. Virginia is one of only 20 states where a state or local employee can be fired simply because of who they are.
HB 694, Plum, HB 977, Scott, HB 1099, Herring: This legislation would establish that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is against the public policy of the Commonwealth or ban discrimination in public or private employment.
HB 613, LeMunyon; HB692, Plum; HB 1175, Englin: This legislation would ban discrimination in public employment but may not be fully inclusive.
#2: School-based issues - End discrimination in schools and prevent bullying of students.
SB 271, Marsh; HB 504, Dance: This legislation would address bullying in schools by requiring training of public school safety officers on effective anti-bullying tactics and programs.
#3: Local and Statewide Government- Help elect LGBT supportive officials
Stay tuned for races to watch and future endorsements!
As a part of our contiued work towards preventing discrimination against LGBT adoptive parents, Mothers and Others of Virginia is closely watching the following adoption legislation:
SB 569, Ebbin; SB 647 McEachin: This bill would ban discrimination in adoption and foster care agencies that contract with the state or receive state funding (directly or indirectly). The best interests of the child should be the sole basis for child displacement.
SB 349, McWaters; HB 189, Gilbert: This legislation would authorize licensed, state-funded adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate in making adoption and foster care services available to children and prospective parents.