RICHMOND (AP) -- Gov. Bob McDonnell is directing state agencies not to discriminate against gays, essentially overriding the state attorney general's advice to colleges.
McDonnell's directive Wednesday came amid a public uproar over Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli's letter last week telling public colleges they lack the authority to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Cuccinelli told colleges to rescind or change any anti-discrimination policies that include protection for gays.
The Republican attorney general's letter was denounced by gay-rights groups and Democrats. In the letter, Cuccinelli said colleges can't include gays in their anti-discrimination policies without General Assembly authorization.
In a statement to WVEC.com, William and Mary President Taylor Reveley said, "The Governor issued an Executive Directive today opposing discrimination. I spoke about this same matter yesterday in a statement to the William & Mary community. We are reassured by the Governor's words. We never believed that the Commonwealth of Virginia wanted discrimination on its campuses."
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MCDONNELL DIRECTIVE:
Dear Fellow State Employee:
Early in the Administration, the Governor authorized the issuance of an Equal Opportunity in the Workplace Directive to employees of the Office of the Governor that reflects his strong position that employment discrimination for any reason other than merit and ability has no place in state government. While the separation of powers doctrine precludes the Governor from changing the Virginia Human Rights Act via Executive Order, he wants to be clear that discrimination in state employment will not be tolerated. As the chief executive officer for the Commonwealth, the Governor wants to establish a clear standard of conduct ensuring that all cabinet members, agency heads, managers, supervisors and employees of the Executive Branch understand and enforce state and federal law prohibiting employment discrimination. Independent agencies and state supported colleges and universities should likewise adopt a similar standard of conduct. This standard of conduct is set forth in the attached Executive Directive One.
It is the Governor’s Directive that Executive Branch agencies attract and retain the best and the brightest people to state public service, and that all feel welcome and appreciated as they serve the citizens of the Commonwealth. We have a talented state workforce, which is doing excellent work in very tough budget times. We also have outstanding cabinet members and managers, where excellence and fair treatment is the great norm, and discrimination is the extremely rare exception.
On behalf of the Governor, I want to thank you for your cooperation and assistance with implementing this Directive, and for making Virginia state government a welcoming and productive place to fulfill one’s professional calling.
Sincerely,
Martin L. Kent
Chief of Staff
Governor Robert F. McDonnell
