The state of Virginia was plunged into an equality row after Republicans on the state general assembly moved to block the appointment of a prominent local prosecutor, Tracy Thorne-Begland, to a position as a district judge.
While serving in the navy 20 years ago, Thorne-Begland came out as gay. Republican delegates on the general assembly argued that as this violated military rules - rules which have subsequently been discredited and abandoned - this makes him unsuitable to hold public office, but Jennifer McClellan, the Democratic delegate for the area in which Thorne-Begland lives, said that was an unfair representation as he'd been honourably discharged from the military twice.
The finger then points at out-and-out prejudice, and our reporter in Virginia spoke to prominent Republican activisits to find out more. One told us "If we appoint a gay judge, all his judgments will be gay. We want criminals going to jail and do hard time, not to watch musicals and decorate homes with tasteful decor. We don't want anyone in a position of power forcing us all to be gay"
Another said that "he's a man and he's called Tracy? I mean, what's up with that? Next he'll be forcing us all to have girls names and wear pink. That's what the Democrats want". "If God had meant for us all to be equal, then why did he make us all different?" countered a third.
The decision cannot now be overturned until next January as the assembly has been dissolved for the year and would be incumbent on Thorne-Begland's desire to renominate.
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