The West Virginia House has introduced a bill to disallow anti-discrimination ordinances by cities and counties if the category is not covered in state law. It was introduced by Lynne Arvon, a delegate from Beckley, a dying city in the southern part of West Virginia. She blogged that the bill was not about allowing discrimination, but making sure businesses found the same equal opportunity regulations throughout the state. She did not suggest the state a adopt a non-discrimination ordinance covering LGBT people. Here is my response to her (Slightly edited, only for punctuation and clarity):
"No one believes that this bill is not intended to bring about discrimination against LGBT people. No one thinks you actually believe your own words, given the history of hatred of LGBT people from the Republican Party generally. Did you consult with members of the LGBT community before bringing this up? I'm guessing not. Rumor is that the mayor of Beckley asked you to do it because he was afraid his city might pass it. I know there are gay people in the southern part of West Virginia; you should think about representing them as well as the people you think you represent.This whole Republican legislature has made West Virginia a laughing stock, and you are a big part of that."
Barry Lee Wendell, Morgantown
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