Virginia Passes New LGBTQ Anti-Discrimination Laws

Virginia lawmakers passed comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation on Febrary 6, 2020 that makes the state the first in the South to enact such protections for LGBTQ people. The measures advanced on bipartisan votes, 59-35 in the House and 30-9 in the Senate as newly empowered Democrats continued to advance bills that Republicans blocked for years. Each chamber still must take up the other’s measure in procedural votes before the legislation can be sent to the governor, who supports it, for final approval. Virginia Employment Law anticipates using these laws to provide cutting-edge legal services to victims of LGBTQ discrimination and harassment. The Senate's bill, SB 868, may be read HERE. The House bill, HB 1663, may be read HERE. A Roanoke Times article on the laws may be read HERE.