Virginia is the last state in the union that refuses to allow private employers, insurance companies, and employees to freely negotiate amongst themselves who an employee may include on a health insurance plan in addition to himself — as in wife, kids, domestic partner, etc. Until recently, that is.

A bill just squeaked through the state House by a single vote. Let’s be clear, here. The bill does not force employers to offer benefits to same-sex partners. It merely stops the state from dictating the policy, and gives private employers the freedom to make their own decisions on the matter.

But the mere fact that some employers now have the option, and might so choose to offer benefits to same-sex partners and unmarried hetersexual couples has all the usual parties up in arms. Check out this Freeper thread denouncing the bill, which also includes the talking points from the Virginia Family Foundation, which has the gall to include the phrase “defending freedom” in its motto. It’s fun to watch purported “free market” cultural conservatives squirm while trying to explain away allowing the gay hate to trump allegiance to economic freedom.

Thanks to reader Adam Weissman for the tip.

This entry was posted on Sunday, February 27th, 2005 at 12:42 pm by Radley Balko and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.