FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nicholas Kessler, 804-381-6647
February 3, 2012 vaprogressivecaucus@gmail.com
VIRGINIA
PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON HB 189
Bill
Would Permit Discrimination Against Adoptive LGBT Parents
Richmond - Yesterday, the Virginia
House of Delegates voted to give approval on second reading to HB 189. This so-called
"conscience clause" bill would authorize licensed, state-funded
adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate in making their services
available to children and prospective parents. The main intent of the bill is
to allow discrimination against prospective parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual
or transgender (LGBT).
The patrons of HB 189 are Del.
Todd Gilbert (R-Page) and Del. Robert Marshall (R-Prince William).
Today the Senate Committee on
Rehabilitation and Social Services also voted to report an identical bill, SB
349. The patron of SB 349 is Sen. Jeffrey McWaters (R-Virginia Beach).
Today the Progressive Caucus has released
its 2012 agenda regarding discrimination against LGBT Virginians, including the
policy goal of opposing "discrimination in adoption by LGBT parents."
The Progressive Caucus strongly opposes HB 189 and SB 349.
Senator Adam Ebbin
(D-Alexandria), co-Chairman of the Progressive Caucus, said, "The real
issue is whether tax dollars should go to agencies that discriminate in
adoption and foster care."
Delegate David Englin
(D-Alexandria) said, "This law has one purpose, which is to protect the
ability of religious groups receiving millions of dollars of taxpayer money to
deny adoption and foster care placements involving gay and lesbian parents. This
isn't a 'conscience clause' -- it's a 'state-sponsored discrimination clause.'
You will find no greater champion of religious freedom than I am, and if a
religion endorses bigotry, that's unfortunate, but that's its right. But the
government has a duty to protect and respect all of its citizens equally, so when
a religious group is under contract to act as an agent of the government,
different rules apply. If any group wants to discriminate, it should do so
without help and support from taxpayers.
"To add insult to injury,
this bill is so poorly worded that it will allow any group to discriminate in
adoption and foster care placements for almost any reason, including in ways
that risk the health and safety of children placed in their care. For example, a group can have a policy
requiring corporal punishment and child labor, and this law will cripple the
ability of the Department of Social Services to intervene"
2012 Agenda
Protect
LGBT Virginians from Discrimination
All Virginians are entitled to
equal treatment under the law, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity
·
Prohibit discrimination against LGBT state and
private sector employees
·
End discrimination in schools and bullying of LGBT students
·
Prohibit discrimination in adoption by LGBT parents
·
Allow religious institutions to perform holy
matrimony ceremonies for same-sex couples
·
Oppose any ban on service by LGBT members in the
Virginia National Guard
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