|
Bob McDonnell on Civil Rights
|
|
|
Objects to anti-gay discrimination in principle
The General Assembly blocked a gay judicial nominee's appointment to the bench in Richmond: veteran prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland, who came out as gay as a naval officer 20 years ago. [Opponents say he] was unfit for the bench because he had challenged
the military's ban on gays openly serving in the military, advocated for gay marriage and lives with a partner with whom he is raising twins.George Allen sought to align himself with Gov. Robert McDonnell, who objected to anti-gay discrimination
in principle but refused to take a position on whether it had played a role in Thorne-Begland's rejection. "I agree with Gov. McDonnell that judicial qualifications, not sexual orientation, should be the criteria for judicial selection," Allen's
statement said. "Decisions on judges should be merit-based selections based on a person's skill, fairness, judicial temperament, and fidelity to the Constitution and laws--judges should apply the law, not invent it or impose their own political views."
Source: Laura Vozzella in Washington Post, "gay judges"
, May 21, 2012
Authored amendment protecting traditional marriage
Bob McDonnell believes marriage is the union between one man and one woman. As a legislator, Bob McDonnell was author of a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage (Chief Patron, HJ 187, 2004). As Attorney General, Bob supported
Virginia's marriage amendment and wrote an official opinion explaining that it would not affect the current legal rights of unmarried persons.In the House of Delegates, Bob McDonnell was twice named "Legislator of the Year" by the Virginia Family Foun
Source: 2009 VA Gubernatorial campaign site, bobmcdonnell.com
, Jul 21, 2009
Page last updated: Nov 26, 2014
