Breaking: Senate Passes Discriminatory College Club Bill

GayRVA Staff
February 5, 2013

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Read More: College clubs, Discrimination, Ebbin, Edwards, Obenshain, SB 1074, Virginia Senate

Photo via VA GA Senate stream 

A bill aiming to allow publicly funded college groups to discriminate in their policies and membership has made it through the Virginia senate. SB 1074 allows college clubs and organizations to define their own doctrines and “only persons committed to that mission should conduct such activities.”
Equality Virginia has condemned the bill saying, though the first amendment protects free speech, it should not allow publicly funded student groups to advocate any ideas they choose, particularly ideas that could discriminate.

Senator Mark Obenshain, the bills patron, said during session that the bill “is content and viewpoint neutral… it applies equally to liberal and conservative groups.” Cited as a way for college groups to form free of outside influence, Obenshain said “this is a simple policy, it’s not to do anything but promote student interests in student groups…” He went on to make the comparison that a non-vegan would and should not be allowed to lead a vegan club.

Though fears of groups being allowed to form around discriminatory actions were apparent. Senator John Edwards used the example of students forming a Catholic group. If a member believed in most of the stances of the Catholic Church, but disagreed with others, the group would have the right to remove that member. “This bill attempts to prohibit anti-discrimination policies with regard to overseeing student activities,” said Edwards. “It offends the academic freedom of our universities…”

Other senators were less subtle in their claims about the bills target. Senator Adam Ebbin, Virginia’s only openly gay legislator, said the bill was developed to support anti-gay groups on publicly funded campuses. “Virginia law and Federal Law allow discrimination against gay people, and that’s what this bill is about – plain and simple… It’s not about freedom of expression, because groups are allowed to express themselves anyway they want. It’s about using taxpayer dollars to fund discrimination.”

The Senate voted 22 – 18. A similar bill, HB 1617, passed the house with an overwhelming majority at the end of January.

Kevin Clay, Communications Coordinator for Equality Virginia said they were disappointed with the final vote, but appreciated the efforts of the senators who spoke out.“Excluding students from joining an organization is discrimination plain and simple and the true impact is to be seen here.”

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