Equality Virginia: Changing Laws. Changing Lives.
Attorney General Cuccinelli to State Universities:
You may not protect students and faculty from discrimination.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Jr. has sent a letter to the governing boards and presidents of the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities directing them to rescind policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, arguing that the colleges have no legal authority to adopt such statements.
Colleges that have non-discrimination policies do not have “proper authority" and should "take appropriate actions to bring their policies in conformance with the law and public policy of Virginia
All of Virginia
Mr. Cuccinelli's advice to the universities, if implemented, would put Virginia's colleges and universities at odds with organizations like Phi Beta Kappa, that make existence of such policies a factor in granting charters.
“Attorney General Cuccinelli clearly doesn’t understand that his radical actions are putting Virginia
"They call it legal advice for a reason. I urge the university boards to get a second opinion before they take action that will adversely affect their ability to attract and retain the best and the brightest students," added Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, who serves as EV’s General Counsel.
“It is time that Governor McDonnell come out from hiding and rein in Mr. Cuccinelli before his embarrassing and regressive actions permanently damage the reputation, educational system and competitiveness of our great Commonwealth. It is the least we can expect from a Governor who supposedly opposes discrimination,” Blair stated.
Equality Virginia members and allies are urged to take the following actions NOW in response to this threat to the basic human rights of members of Virginia
1) Contact the Governor and let him know that you support policies that protect GLBT Virginians from discrimination and that you expect him to provide leadership in ensuring that Virginia is truly a “Commonwealth of Opportunity” for all Virginians, including GLBT Virginians.
2) If you are an alum, student, faculty or staff member of a Virginia college or university, contact your institution’s president and let him or her know that you want your college or university to stand with its GLBT students, faculty, staff and alumni and reject the advice of the Attorney General.
3) Sign EV’s online petition in favor of changing the law to provide nondiscrimination protection for all. Or download the hard copy petition and collect as many signatures as you can!
4) Spread the word on FaceBook, Twitter and other social media sites about the need to take action NOW.
5) Help EV make a statement about the breadth and depth of support for our work by ensuring that this year’s dinner is sold out. Buy your tickets now.
6) Write a resolution for your student group or faculty senate in response to Cuccinelli's letter.
Read the Virginia Conference of American Association of University Professors' letter to Gov. McDonnell in response to the Cuccineli letter.
Read the ACLU letter to Virginia public universty and college presidents.
Watch Equality Virginia and our allies in action! Here are the links to Equality Virginia's news conference on SB66. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Read recent editorials in support of SB 66 and Non-Discrimination Laws in Public Employment.
Save the Date!
Equality Virginia’s 7th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Downtown Richmond Marriott
With Special Guest Andrew Sullivan
Take advantage of our early bird ticket pricing now through March 15.
For more information on the dinner celebrations, new sponsorship opportunities, the annual art show and more,
please visit our Dinner website here.
Senior Editor and blogger at The Atlantic and columnist for the Sunday Times of London, Andrew Sullivan is one of the most provocative political and social commentators today. Read more about Andrew here.
Buy your tickets today online by clicking here or by calling our office at 804.643.4816 
Campaign to End Workplace Discrimination
Attorney General Cuccinelli to State Universities:
You may not protect students and faculty from discrimination.
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Jr. has sent a letter to the governing boards and presidents of the Commonwealth's public colleges and universities directing them to rescind policies that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, arguing that the colleges have no legal authority to adopt such statements.
Colleges that have non-discrimination policies do not have “proper authority" and should "take appropriate actions to bring their policies in conformance with the law and public policy of
All of
Mr. Cuccinelli's advice to the universities, if implemented, would put Virginia's colleges and universities at odds with organizations like Phi Beta Kappa, that make existence of such policies a factor in granting charters.
“Attorney General Cuccinelli clearly doesn’t understand that his radical actions are putting
"They call it legal advice for a reason. I urge the university boards to get a second opinion before they take action that will adversely affect their ability to attract and retain the best and the brightest students," added Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, who serves as EV’s General Counsel.
“It is time that Governor McDonnell come out from hiding and rein in Mr. Cuccinelli before his embarrassing and regressive actions permanently damage the reputation, educational system and competitiveness of our great Commonwealth. It is the least we can expect from a Governor who supposedly opposes discrimination,” Blair stated.
Equality
1) Contact the Governor and let him know that you support policies that protect GLBT Virginians from discrimination and that you expect him to provide leadership in ensuring that Virginia is truly a “Commonwealth of Opportunity” for all Virginians, including GLBT Virginians.
2) If you are an alum, student, faculty or staff member of a Virginia college or university, contact your institution’s president and let him or her know that you want your college or university to stand with its GLBT students, faculty, staff and alumni and reject the advice of the Attorney General.
3) Sign EV’s online petition in favor of changing the law to provide nondiscrimination protection for all. Or download the hard copy petition and collect as many signatures as you can!
4) Spread the word on FaceBook, Twitter and other social media sites about the need to take action NOW.
5) Help EV make a statement about the breadth and depth of support for our work by ensuring that this year’s dinner is sold out. Buy your tickets now.
6) Write a resolution for your student group or faculty senate in response to Cuccinelli's letter.
Read the Virginia Conference of American Association of University Professors' letter to Gov. McDonnell in response to the Cuccineli letter.
Read the ACLU letter to Virginia public universty and college presidents.
Watch Equality Virginia and our allies in action! Here are the links to Equality Virginia's news conference on SB66. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Read recent editorials in support of SB 66 and Non-Discrimination Laws in Public Employment.
Save the Date!
Campaign to End Workplace Discrimination
Please sign our online petition.
Equality Virginia believes everyone should have the right to a workplace free from discrimination and committed to equality of opportunity without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. Read more...
Tell It
Every year, Virginians contact Equality Virginia to report incidents of hate violence or discrimination. Your story is important, and if you are willing to share it with us, it can help educate everyday Virginians about the obstacles faced by our community. Read more...
Internship Program
Equality Virginia is currently accepting applications for spring or summer internships.
Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach and advocacy organization seeking equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians.
OUTStanding Virginians
EV Photo Gallery
Join Us on Facebook!
Upcoming Events
| Fri Mar 19 @06:00PM Generation Equality Conference |
| Fri Apr 09 @06:00PM Equality Virginia Art Show Opening Reception |
| Sat May 01 @09:30AM EV Law Day Program: Legal Issues for GLBT People and Their Families |
| Sat May 01 @05:00PM 2010 Commonwealth Dinner |
2010 Sponsor
2010 Dinner Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponors
Silver Sponsors
