ON EQUALITY

I have always known no one's rights are secure until everyone's rights are secured. 

I was a civil rights worker during the 1960's --and even marched with Dr. Martin Luther King -- because I believe in the innate worth, equality and dignity of every human being.

Virginia has not been good to the GLBT community. I have fought against every negative bill. 

• I strongly opposed the hateful Marshall/ Newman constitutional amendment (DOMA).  I voted against it in Committee and I spoke and voted against it on the floor of the Senate, and campaigned against it in my district;

• As a member of the Education and Health Committee I helped defeat the bill that would have prohibited public schools from having gay/straight alliance clubs; 

• As a member of the Courts Committee, I worked to defeat bills to limit the ability of gays and lesbians to adopt children; 

• Also as a member of the Courts committee I have voted to get our unconstitutional sodomy laws taken off the books. 

A few good things have happened for the GLBT community.  I am proud to have been chief patron of them all. 

I patroned the bill in 2006 which allowed employers to provide medical insurance for domestic partners.  Equality Virginia selected me to carry that bill and I was proud to do it!  It was a very difficult fight and we got the bill out of the House of Delegates with only a one vote margin. 

Two years ago I introduced the bill to allow employers to offer life insurance for domestic partners. That passed too! 

Almost every year I have introduced budget amendments to provide services for people suffering from HIV/AIDs.  Most years we were able to secure additional money.  

Looking forward, we must pass anti-discrimination legislation.  We must affirm the right of members of the LBGT community to marry and to adopt children. Also, we must provide additional funds for ADAP and prevention programs. 

I encourage you to CLICK HERE to read more about my advocacy for equality for the GLBT community in Virginia.