SB868 and HB1663 Prohibit Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Virginians are celebrating as the Virginia Values Act passed both the House and Senate this week. The bills, Senator Adam Ebbin’s SB868 and Delegate Mark Sickles’ HB1663, prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, and credit on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Virginia will join 20 other states that ban discrimination. 

“Success should be determined by how hard you work, not who you love, how you identify, or what you look like. No one in our community should have to worry about losing their jobs or being denied housing based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Anna Scholl, Executive Director of Progress Virginia, said. “Thanks to these protections, members of the LGBTQ community will be able to choose their partners and express themselves for who they truly are without fear. They will bo longer be second class citizens without the basic security they need to thrive. We are thrilled that the Virginia Values Act has passed and overcome another hurdle to becoming law so that everyone can feel secure and thrive in our community.”

Background:

Over 20 states have non-discrimination laws protecting individuals from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Virginia is not one of them. 

•  In Virginia, only four localities protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and only two cities include gender identity as a protected class.

Eighty percent of Virginians favor a state law that would protect LGBT people from employment discrimination.

Transgender people are discriminated against at work. 

• 80% of transgender people were harassed or mistreated at work. 
• 44% were not hired. 
• 26% were denied a promotion. 
• 22% lost a job.