Va. corrections keeps nondiscrimination policy

The Democratic-appointed Virginia Board of Corrections has adopted a resolution reaffirming a nondiscrimination policy that protects on the basis of sexual orientation, Virginia Politics reports.

The resolution runs counter to the directive issued by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) who said that only the General Assembly has the authority to extend legal protections to gays.

The wording of the resolution was modeled on an existing Department of Corrections policy, specifically adopted last year to bring the department into line with former Gov. Tim Kaine's (D) executive order number 1, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has essentially repealed that order, arguing it went beyond the authority granted to the executive office by the General Assembly.