West Virginia Open for Business… Open for All!!

What happened ?

On the second day of the 2009 Legislative session five brave West Virginia legislators introduced Senate Bill 238.

Senators Brooks McCabe (D-Kanawha,) Dan Foster(D-Kanawha,) Eric Wells (D-Kanawha)Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall,)Herb Snyder (D – Jefferson,) all have signed on as sponsors of this legislation.

What this bill means for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community?

This bill will amend existing legislation to include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to existing employment and non discrimination laws.

We expect this bill to move quickly through the Senate and move to the House of Delegates. From that point it may move to the Judiciary or Rules Committees.

You can view a copy of the proposed legislation online at:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb238%20intr.htm&yr=2009&sesstype=RS&i=238

As a GLBT West Virginian or as a supporter of GLBT civil rights in West Virginia; what can I do now?

1. Contact the Senators listed above and thank them for taking the lead on advancing fairness in employment, housing and public accommodation in West Virginia for GLBT West Virginians.

2. Contact your legislators and tell them you support this bill.

You can find your legislators at the homepage for the West Virginia Legislature at: http://www.legis.state.wv.us/

3. Once you contact a legislator email us so we can track the number of people signing up to support this bill.

Email us at rainbowpridewva@yahoo.com. You can also email the West Virginia Foundation for Equality at WVFE@yahoo.com

Let us know who you spoke to, and what they said. One of the common things that we hear is that nobody from outside of Kanawha County contacts their elected officials on our issues. We need to keep track of the various regions where contacts come from so we can deliver a statewide and community response.

What are the next steps?

We will keep the community notified as to the status of the bill and keep you aware of any public hearings on this issue. Part of getting this legislation through is educating elected officials about our issues, but we need your help.  If you would like to get involved in community planning in your area please let us know by emailing us.

Thanks,

Charlie Rouse