In the past week, both Equality Virginia and Human Rights Campaign have endorsed Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds.

In a press release from EV’s Political Action Committee, CEO Jon Blair made the following statements comparing Deeds and Republican opponent Bob McDonnell:

• Deeds co-patroned legislation to ensure that all public employees will be protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and pledges that he will sign an executive order to that effect; as Attorney General, McDonnell ruled that such an executive order would be illegal, stated he would not sign one as governor, and has refused to support a change in the law to ban discrimination. To attract the best public and private employees, Virginia must be welcoming of diversity and avoid discriminatory practices. Anything else hurts employers and employees, stifles economic growth, and limits Virginia’s competitiveness.

• Deeds ultimately opposed the Marshall-Newman marriage amendment; his opponent, Bob McDonnell wholeheartedly endorsed it.

• Deeds says he will support opening up state health benefits to otherwise qualified adults living in the same household as GLBT employees; McDonnell says that’s for the legislature to decide.

“There is no question that for the GLBT community and Virginians who believe in equality for all, there is only one sensible choice for Governor, and that choice is Creigh Deeds,” Blair said in his statement. “While no candidate is perfect, including Senator Deeds, Virginians must support the one candidate who truly understands that discrimination hurts our economy and our families.”

On the HRC Backstory blog, HRC President Joe Solmonese says, “Electing Creigh Deeds must be a top priority for all fair-minded Virginians. Senator Deeds will continue the work of Governors Warner and Kaine to eliminate barriers to equality for the LGBT community. HRC is pleased to be working with Equality Virginia to support Senator Deeds.”

The HRC also has strong words against McDonnell quoting his thesis that “argued that it is the government’s role to ‘restrain, punish, and deter homosexuality.’”

Virginia’s election is November 3.