In an emotional speech, Del. Mark D. Sickles, D-Fairfax, one of two openly gay state lawmakers, said the vote would send a message to businesses considering moving to Virginia.

“They don’t need to come here where people are second-class citizens when we pass legislation like this,” Sickles said.

He added that Republicans should not view the bill as a “free vote” due to its low chances of becoming law.

“Your vote will make a difference,” Sickles said. “Your kids will be looking back on what you do today and how you vote on this bill.”

The bill would prevent state agencies from altering tax treatment or canceling or reducing funding, contracts or other benefits for private entities based on beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman, that sex should occur only within marriage or that the terms man and woman are based solely on biological sex.

Critics said the legislation would lead to government-sanctioned discrimination. Supporters argued that traditional beliefs should not be swept away by a fast-changing, secular culture.