By Jason Jacks: Tuesday, 5 January 2010
In a controversial move, the Loudoun County government will adopt a policy that it will not discriminate against homosexuals or people who are transgender.
After a heated discussion, a majority of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 5 voted in favor of adding language to the county’s equal employment opportunity policy not permitting the government to base its hiring or firing practices on someone’s “sexual orientation” or “gender identity," a term often associated with crossdressers or other people not bound by their birth sex.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), the maker of the motion, explaining he heard from several members of the community on the matter and thought it was time to include the language in county policy.
After learning his proposal would not be welcomed by all of his fellow board members, he added: “It’s a shame anyone would put energy into resisting this.”
Before the vote, Loudoun’s EEO policy made no mention of sexual preference, but only said the county did not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, age or disability. Also, it was learned during the meeting that the county has never received a complaint on the language not being part of the policy, and that sexual orientation was already not considered in employment matters, though it was not spelled out.
Tuesday’s 6-2-1 vote split along political-leanings, with the most outspoken conservative on the board, Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), voicing his opposition the loudest, accusing Miller of “sneaking” in the proposal without public input.
“Cross-dressing rights: that’s what we're talking about at this meeting,” Delgaudio said, his voice rising as he gestured toward Miller. “This would put men who wear dresses in county bathrooms without public notice!”
He went out to accuse Miller of having a liberal agenda, while saying that his proposal was a “kick in the teeth” to "moral people."
“This is freaky. This is bizarre. This is fruity!” he concluded.....
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