2 Anti-LGBT Bills Pass Out of House Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RICHMOND, Va. (February 8, 2016) – On Monday, Virginia House of Delegates Committee on General Laws voted to pass HB 781 (Cole) and HB 385 (Marshall), two anti-LGBT bills that would force transgender youth and people to use the incorrect restroom or locker room in any public school or government-owned building, as well as remove already-existing discrimination protections for over 25 percent of gay and transgender public school employees, respectively. Despite opposition in committee hearings and from numerous constituents across Virginia, the bills passed #-# and will now go before the House floor. “In today’s committee hearing, Delegates Gilbert, Albo, Wright, Peace, Anderson, Greason, Knight, LeMunyon, Helsel, Robinson, Yost, Hudges, Bell, Minchew, and Leftwich showed blatant disregard for gay and transgender Virginians by vote to pass these two harmful and discriminatory bills,” said Executive Director James Parrish. “These bills represent a serious setback for Virginia. Our hope now is that the rest of the House will represent the majority of Virginians by opposing this legislation that would weaken the inclusivity and diversity our commonwealth has worked so hard to move towards.”

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Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians. Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities. More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org. Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.