State Republicans in Virginia are being slammed for refusing to allow a vote on LGBTI non-discrimination laws.

LGBTI civil rights group, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) responded to the ‘shameful decision’ by Virginia Speaker of the House Kirk Cox, Majority Chairman Tim Hugo. He and other leaders in the House of Delegates, refused to bring up LGBTI non-discrimination protections for a vote in the General Laws committee.

The two bills, HB 2677 and HB 2067, would add protections for LGBTI Virginians in housing and public employment, respectively. 

According to HRC, similar bills have passed the Virginia Senate several years in a row with bipartisan support.

Recent polling showed both bills have majority support from Republicans in Virginia. Republican polling firm, The Tarrance Group, completed the poll in 2018. It found 55% of Republican voters believe it should be against the law to discriminate against LGBTI people in housing.

The poll also found that 59% of Republican voters believe it ‘should be against the law to discriminate in public employment against someone who is gay or transgender’.

‘It’s shameful that Speaker Cox, Majority Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo and leaders in the House of Delegates continue to use every political trick in the book to kill these crucial, commonsense non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ Virginians,’ said Marty Rouse, HRC National Field Director.

‘For several years in a row, bills that would protect LGBTQ Virginians from discrimination in housing and public employment have passed the state Senate, but House leadership continues to obfuscate the political process and obstruct this legislation.

‘Let’s be clear: Cox is using LGBTQ people as political pawns.

‘This fall, voters in Virginia will head to the polls to elect their state representatives. If current leaders cowardly refuse to protect all Virginians, then voters will elect lawmakers who will. We will remember this in November.’