Virginia: Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe to sign executive order banning discrimination against LGBT state employees

Ah, what a difference an election makes.

As the new governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe's first executive order will be to ban discrimination against LGBT state employees.

Via the Human Rights Campaign:

“In his first day as Governor-elect, Terry McAuliffe has declared a new day for LGBT equality in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Inclusion and equality won in yesterday’s election, while the politics of hate and discrimination were soundly defeated. We look forward to working with the governor-elect on moving Virginia forward.”

It should be noted that shortly after taking office in 2010, outgoing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell refused to renew an executive order protected LGBT state employees from discrimination.

And why, you ask? Because he could find no evidence that such discrimination even existed.

Good riddance.

(via JMG)