Virginia Gay Adoption: State Board Fails To Consider Anti-Discrimination Regs At October Meeting

[Derechos]

WASHINGTON -- Last week, Virginia's Board of Social Services was scheduled to be briefed on the more than 2,500 public comments on proposed regulations that would bar private child-placement agencies from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or family status.

The briefing didn't happen.

The proposed rules -- which would not affect a law barring adoptions by unmarried cohabitating adults of any sex -- are supported by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, Equality Virginia and dozens of other groups. They are opposed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) and religious groups.

Eileen Guertler, the social services board's director of public affairs and citizen services, said December is now the soonest the board might take up the proposed regs. Guertler had earlier told The Huffington Post that the board would be briefed at its October meeting.

"The next VA Board of Social Services meeting is scheduled for December 14-15 in Richmond area," she wrote in an email. "Hopefully, they will be provided the written comments before their December meeting."

James Parrish, executive director of the gay advocacy group Equality Virginia, said there might be a sunny side to the board not receiving the briefing in October.

"We would look at it maybe that there were just so many comments that they are doing a thorough job of reviewing them before they present the summary to the board," Parrish said. "I don't think it's a good sign. But maybe they're just doing a very thorough job."

If the board doesn't take up the rules in December, he added, that would "raise a flag as to why this process isn't being carried through."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/virginia-gay-adoption-anti-discrimination-rules_n_1032704.html