Atty. General to UVa: Rescind Sexual Discrimination Policies

Back to HomePage
Updated: 6:15 PM Mar 5, 2010 Atty. General to UVa: Rescind Sexual Discrimination Policies Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has notified public universities, including the University of Virginia, that they must rescind policies banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. Posted: 5:29 PM Mar 5, 2010 Reporter: Mark Tenia Email Address: mark.tenia@newsplex.com

Font Size:

March 5, 2010

Virginia's attorney general is telling the University of Virginia and other public universities that they have to rescind their policy banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli reportedly said in a letter to Virginia colleges and universities that only the General Assembly has the authority to extend legal protections to gay state employees, and that colleges that have included such language in their policies have done so without proper authority.

"I think he's going out of his way to enact his own personal vendetta on the gay community," gay rights activist Andre Hakes said.

UVa's policy says the university is committed to equal employment and affirmative action.

"To fulfill this commitment," the policy reads, "the university administers its programs, procedures and practices without regard to age, color, sexual orientation" and a number of other categories.

The university did not have much to say about the letter. They issued a statement.

"The university received a letter, marked privileged and confidential, from the attorney general. Any questions about the letter will need to be addressed to the attorney general or his office," the statement said.

Calls to the attorney general's office were not returned. The Family Foundation in Richmond applauded the letter, saying current policies are unnecessary to attract top students and faculty. Some said it's a step in the wrong direction.

"The Republican administration is really seeking to roll back protections and actually encourage discrimination," Hakes said.

Meanwhile, both sides anxiously await to see how or if universities react.

The General Assembly killed a bill earlier this week that would have extended legal protections for gay state employees.

Latest Comments

Posted by: brothermatthew Location: c'burgTown on Mar 8, 2010 at 11:34 PM

optional? No-- HHHumphrey,VP; DDEisenhower(P) spoke in the 20th century on the topic of public safety--Health Education and WELLFair. THE COMMUNity that does not... insults/doesn't respect itself and may enter a mode of destruction--even self destruction-- THE NEW TESTAMENT :PrinceOFPEACE; JESUS, not frequently, but in continuity, calls that those Young-At-Heart protecting and Lovingly serving The Child(s) youngandimpressionable --as did commonwealth(ers) JE fferson; Madi; Monr...

Posted by: Cville Resident on Mar 7, 2010 at 03:52 PM

@Albemarle: you need to do a better job of reading the statement. I agree that homosexuals are like the rest of society, but what this decision allows is to not hire someone based purely on their sexual orientation NOT on those characteristics which should make (or not make) someone a good job candidate (i.e., education, experience, tenacity, detailed, etc.).

Posted by: Albemarle Location: Albemarle on Mar 6, 2010 at 08:21 PM

Translation of the ruling: Commonwealth of Virginia not schools sets policies and homosexuals do not warrant special consideration but are part of the population like the rest of society.

Click here to post or read all 5 comments.

Live News	Weather Now	Desktop Alert
Mobile	iPhone App	Text Alerts
Facebook	Twitter	YouTube