If you agree with the following letter from Steve Shannon, I encourage you to call Bob McDonnell's office (at 804-612-9111) and ask him to condemn Ken Cuccinelli's anti-gay bigotry. Thanks.
October 28, 2009
The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell
2819 North Parham Road
Suite 210
Richmond, VA 23294
Dear Bob,
I hope you had the chance to read what Ken Cuccinelli said about employment discrimination against gays and lesbians in the Office of the Attorney General. In a Virginian-Pilot editorial, Ken was quoted as opposing the same non-discrimination practice that you observed during your tenure as Attorney General. In doing so, he stated, "[H]omosexual acts are wrong. They're intrinsically wrong. And I think in a natural law based country it's appropriate to have policies that reflect that." I have enclosed a copy of that article for your reference and have highlighted Ken's comments.
Given that you oppose discriminating against gay and lesbian Virginians who hope to serve the Commonwealth, I am asking you to join me in calling on Ken to recant his position. As reported in the Lynchburg News & Advance, you stated your position that, if you are elected, "[t]here will be no discrimination in the office of governor." The News & Advance went on to note that you praised the work of gay Virginians in your office and that all you cared about was "whether they met [your] requirement for getting results for Virginia." Though I understand you have concerns over signing an executive order, you have made clear that you and Ken disagree over whether sexual orientation is an appropriate justification for hiring or firing an otherwise qualified Virginian. Ken's comments, which invoke "natural law" in support of what he calls "appropriate" discriminatory policies, are unprecedented coming from an Attorney General candidate in Virginia.
I hope you will stand up for those who loyally served you during your tenure as Attorney General by publicly stating your opposition to Ken Cuccinelli's discriminatory employment philosophy for the Office of the Attorney General.
Sincerely,
Steve Shannon
Enclosure
cc: Ken Cuccinelli
Virginia Log Cabin Republicans
Stonewall Democrats of Virginia
Virginia Partisans
Equality Virginia
