Va. House Panel Backs ‘Conscience Clause’ to Let Agencies Discriminate Against Gay Families

The Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee of the Virginia state House of Delegates voted 14-5 Tuesday to advance legislation that would allow private, faith-based adoption agencies to discriminate against lesbian and gay people. The Virginia Board of Social Services in December adopted regulations that allow discrimination based on personal factors, including gender, age, religion disability, sexual orientation and family status.