The Virginia Legislature is considering a good bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes under state civil rights law.

This bill, H.B. 1663, is a positive step toward ensuring true equal protection for LGBTQ people. The federal Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination against particular classes of people, including bigotry based on religion, race and sex, but currently does not prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Until this serious shortcoming of federal civil rights law is addressed, states must expand this protection individually.

As FFRF often points out, religion has, for far too long, imposed its Bronze Age immorality on public accommodations and civil rights laws. It’s time to protect all Americans, whatever smear the bible may contain about them.

This bill has passed the Virginia House of Delegates and will be heard next by the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology. Please use our automated system to contact the members of this committee and urge them to support H.B. 1663. Feel free to use or adapt the talking points provided.

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