Virginia Gov. Hopes to Steal Business From Indiana

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Terry McAuliffe touts the Old Dominion as 'open and welcoming.'

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

April 01 2015 3:41 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Virginia's Democratic governor, Terry McAuliffe, submitted a letter to The Indianapolis Star Monday that pitched business leaders to abandon Indiana -- home to an antigay "religious freedom" law -- and bring their companies to his state.

"In Virginia, we do not discriminate against our friends and neighbors, particularly those who are supporting local businesses and generating economic activity," McAuliffe wrote, according to The Washington Post. McAuliffe tried to sell business leaders on Virginia's seaport and an "open and welcoming" environment.

But while the Old Dominion offers marriage equality, there is no statewide ban on anti-LGBT discrimination in housing or employment - though, to his credit, McAuliffe signed an executive order last year protecting state employees from antigay discrimination.