Tag: Terry McAuliffe

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Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Breaking the record for most vetoes by a Virginia governor, Gov. Terry McAuliffe has torpedoed two “religious freedom” bills passed by the Republican-led legislature.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

McAuliffe, a Democrat in the last year of his four-year term, vetoed the bills during a live radio appearance on Washington’s WTOP, calling them “another attempt to “stigmatize” LGBT Virginians.

“You already have religious protection. Why would you push this bill out that does absolute nothing?,” McAuliffe said. “All you’re doing is trying to divide people. And I”m just not going to tolerate it.”

The vetoes of House Bill 2025 and Senate Bill 1324 are McAuliffe’s 90th and 91st, pushing McAliffe past the previous 90-veto record set by former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore.

McAuliffe had already vetoed bills this year would legalize switchblades for some purposes, defund Planned Parenthood, allow homeschooled students to play on public-school sports teams, let military members under 21 apply for concealed handgun permits and add photo ID requirements for absentee ballots.

Democrats derided the two bills as anti-LGBT and discriminatory while Republicans framed the legislation as protecting “religious freedoms.”

Language in the bills allowed individuals the right to refuse to participate in a same-sex marriage based on “sincerely held religious belief” or “moral conviction.” This right already exists in the First Amendment.

Lacking veto-proof majorities, Republicans have not been able to override any of McAuliffe’s 91 vetoes.

Equality Virginia Executive Director James Parrish issued a statement of support for the veto:

“Equality Virginia applauds Governor McAuliffe for fulfilling his promise to veto this discriminatory and destructive bill. We recognize that religion is a vital part of many Virginians’ daily lives, but HB 2025 does not protect religious liberty. Instead, it provides a license to discriminate against loving LGBTQ families; furthermore, its broad and vague definition of ‘person’ would set a dangerous precedent for discriminatory individuals and groups to be protected by our religious freedom laws.”

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Virginia: Governor Promises To Veto Any Anti-LGBT Legislation

(image via Twitter)

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says his state will not be emulating the anti-LGBT mess going on in North Carolina any time soon.

Earlier today, McAuliffe signed an executive order that bans anti-LGBT discrimination among state employees, contractors and subcontractors.

Via the Roanoke Times:

Gov. Terry McAuliffe vowed Wednesday to veto any legislation he receives from Virginia lawmakers similar to North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill.” His statement comes one day after Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, prefiled the Physical Privacy Act. The bill stipulates people must use the restroom, locker room or changing room that corresponds to the gender assigned at birth as opposed to the gender with which they identify. The measure would apply to restrooms located in public schools, universities and government buildings.

Asked about the proposal after an unrelated event Wednesday at Virginia Tech, McAuliffe said he would strike down all legislation that inhibits anyone’s individual rights. “Stay away from the socially divisive issues,” he said to legislators. “We are not going to put a wall up around Virginia.” Marshall said he doesn’t introduce legislation based what McAuliffe likes and doesn’t like. Virginia would be lucky to be as business-friendly and collect as much tax revenue as its neighbor to the south, Marshall said.

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Virginia Governor Vetoes Anti-LGBT Legislation

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe has vetoed recent legislation that would have legalized anti-LGBT discrimination.

From The Washington Blade:

McAuliffe said in a statement that Senate Bill 41 is “nothing more than an attempt to stigmatize.”

“This legislation is also bad for business and creates roadblocks as we try to build the new Virginia economy,” he said. “Businesses and job creators do not want to locate or do business in states that appear more concerned with demonizing people than with creating a strong business climate.”

“Legislation that immunizes the discriminatory actions of certain people and institutions at the expense of same-sex couples would damage Virginia’s reputation for commonsense, pro-business government,” added McAuliffe. “We need only look at the damage these types of laws are doing in other states to understand the harm this bill could bring to our Commonwealth and its economy.”

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Virginia: Newly sworn in Gov. McAuliffe signs executive order protecting LGBT state employees from discrimination

Shortly after taking office in 2010, GOP former Gov. Bob McDonnell removed protections for LGBT state employees by executive order, claiming that there was no evidence that gay people are discriminated against.

In HIS first official act, newly inaugurated Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed an executive order protecting LGBT state employees from discrimination.During his campaign, McAuliffe repeatedly promised to do so.

McAuliffe: “My administration is committed to keeping Virginia open and welcoming to all who call our Commonwealth home. Executive Order Number 1 sets the tone for an administration that will not accept discrimination in any form, and one that will work tirelessly to ensure all Virginians have equal opportunity in the workplace, no matter their backgrounds, race, religion, or whom they love.”

The Washington Blade notes that today’s order includes gender identity and expression for the first time.

(via JMG)

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Virginia: Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe to sign executive order banning discrimination against LGBT state employees

Ah, what a difference an election makes.

As the new governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe’s first executive order will be to ban discrimination against LGBT state employees.

Via the Human Rights Campaign:

“In his first day as Governor-elect, Terry McAuliffe has declared a new day for LGBT equality in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Inclusion and equality won in yesterday’s election, while the politics of hate and discrimination were soundly defeated. We look forward to working with the governor-elect on moving Virginia forward.”

It should be noted that shortly after taking office in 2010, outgoing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell refused to renew an executive order protected LGBT state employees from discrimination.

And why, you ask? Because he could find no evidence that such discrimination even existed.

Good riddance.

(via JMG)

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Hillary stumps for Terry McAuliffe in Virginia gubernatorial race

Hillary Rodham Clinton has joined Democrat Terry McAuliffe on the campaign trail, telling Virginia voters the nation is looking for a return to “common sense and common ground.”

Clinton formally endorsed her family friend’s bid for Virginia governor, marking her first public campaign event since departing the State Department in February.

The former secretary of state says voters are watching the race for a sign that the country would turn away from “divisive politics” after the government shutdown.

Clinton has largely avoided politics this year but is helping McAuliffe as well as former campaign aide Bill de Blasio in his bid for New York City mayor.

Democrats consider Clinton a leading candidate for the White House if she decides to run in 2016.

(from the AP)

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Ken Cuccinelli reaffirms calling LGBT Virginians “soulless” and “self-destructive”

(L to R) Ken Cuccinelli, Terry McAuliffe

In their first gubernatorial debate in Virginia, Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe didn’t shy away from calling GOP nominee Ken Cuccinelli out on his many anti-gay statements.

From ThinkProgress:

McAuliffe repeatedly attacked Cuccinelli throughout the Virginia Bar Association debate in Hot Springs, VA for his record of demonizing science, women’s health, and LGBT people. Twice, McAuliffe noted that Cuccinelli had called LGBT Virginians “soulless” and “self-destructive” and that his attempts to rescind non-discrimination protections have hurt Virginia’s business climate.

Cuccinelli consistently ignored the attacks until moderator Judy Woodruff asked him directly about his previous comments. Cuccinelli responded briefly, saying, “My personal beliefs about the personal challenges of homosexuality haven’t changed.” He then said that as governor he he would “create an environment” economically every Virginian has opportunity.

In contrast, McAuliffe reaffirmed his support for marriage equality, promised to sign an executive order banning discrimination in employment, and said while Virginia’s constitutional ban and Republican legislature make it unlikely, he would sign a marriage equality law if it came to his desk.

According to a recent Quinnipiac University survey, McAuliffe currently leads Cuccinelli 43% – 39%.

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Virginia: Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe supports marriage equality

McauliffeVirginia gubernatorial candidate (and former DNC Chairman) Terry McAuliffe told attendees at an Equality Virginia dinner on Saturday that he supports marriage equality.

However, he said he would not make repealing the 2006 state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage a top priority, and instead focus on the economy.

From the Times Dispatch:

“We just went through this process here seven years ago; it’s in the constitution,” McAuliffe said in an interview at the 10th annual Commonwealth Dinner hosted by Equality Virginia, one of the state’s advocacy groups for gay rights, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
However, McAuliffe said he would not tolerate any form of discrimination in the commonwealth. “We’ve got to make sure that Virginia is open and welcoming to everybody,” McAuliffe said.