Virginia lawmakers establish more LGBTQ protections
By CIERRA PARKS of Capital News ServiceApril 2, 2021 GMT
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly worked in its second year to establish more protections for LGBTQ people.
Lawmakers tackled LGBTQ inequity in criminal justice and health care, reforming laws that advocates said were rooted in discrimination and could block access to needed services. An advisory board will be established to continue Virginia’s work with the LGBTQ community.
Though some key legislation failed, advocates said the state is moving forward.
“Virginia continues to be a safer and more welcoming place for LGBTQ people and their families,” said Vee Lamneck, executive director of Equality Virginia, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBTQ people. “This is the second year in a row that we have seen significant life-changing legislation passed.”
RICHMOND, Va. Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that will ban the use of a personâs perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in court for the assault or murder of an LGBTQ person.
âItâs done: Weâre banning the gay/trans panic defense in Virginia,â Del. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, said in a Twitter post.
Roem introduced House Bill 2132, which passed the Senate 23-15 on Thursday with an amendment. The House approved the amendment in a 58-39 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Ralph Northamâs desk for a signature.
The Senate amendment adds oral solicitation, or hitting on someone, as an unacceptable justification for the gay or transgender panic defense.
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Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that will ban the use of a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in court for the.
The bill would ban the use of a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in court for the assault or murder of an LGBTQ person.