Virginia Governor's New Equal Opportunity Order Eliminates Sexual Orientation Protection

Earlier this month, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed Executive Order No. 6 on Equal Opportunity in all facets of state government, superseding an Equal Opportunity executive order signed in 2006 by Gov. Tim Kaine. The new order eliminates reference to a ban on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation-- a category that was included in the prior executive order. It also calls for the state to take "appropriate" measures to emphasize recruitment of minorities. Gov. Kaine's EO called for "affirmative" measures. TPM on Wednesday, in an article reviewing the situation, said that Gov. McDonnell has also signed a different memo calling for equal opportunity for all in the Governor's office in hiring, promotion, discipline and termination. It urges all other cabinet secretaries to implement a similar policy.