Virginia: Senate Committee Votes Down Adding LGBT-Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill

Virginia state Senate chambers

In Virginia today, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted along party lines 9-6 striking down Senate Bill 112, which would have added sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's hate crimes law.

Via The Washington Blade:

State Sens. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath County), John Edwards (D-Roanoke), Janet Howell (D-Fairfax County), J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax City), L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax County) voted for SB 112, which would have also added gender and disability to Virginia’s hate crimes law.

State Sens. A. Benton Chafin, (R-Russell County), Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover County), Thomas Norment (R-James City), Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), Mark Peake (R-Lynchburg), Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania County), William Stanley (R-Franklin County), Richard Stuart (R-Stafford County) and Glen Sturtevant (R-Richmond) voted against it.

The vote took place five days after the 2018 General Assembly began.

Republicans maintain slim majorities in the state Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates.