March 9, 2010

Gay rights activists at the University of Virginia held a meeting Tuesday evening to discuss a move by state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who said public universities like UVa. cannot ban discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Members from UVa.'s LGBT group gathered to discuss the letter Cuccinelli offered last Friday, saying that schools can't have a written code that protects gay students and staff.

In the letter Cuccinelli released to Virginia colleges and universities, he said it's not up to schools to implement non-discrimination policies for gay students and staff.

He said he's in the middle of a media firestorm when the advice he's given doesn't waver from previous attorneys general before him and from what his role in government subscribes.

Since the General Assembly has passed on non-discrimination policies for sexual orientation, schools, including Cuccinelli's alma mater, should pass, too.

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Monday he supports the attorney general's "legal reasoning" but will not allow discrimination on campuses. Still, many gay UVa. students and staff are outraged, saying that without non-discrimination policy, Cuccinelli is discriminating.

While there are no anti-discrimination policies in state or federal law for homosexuals, and schools can't make their own, he said lawyers advices and clients decide. What UVa. students and staff decide to do is the next move.

Hundreds have joined Facebook groups rallying against the message they believe Cuccinelli is sending.