Va. Gov. McAuliffe Sworn In, Signs Nondiscrimination Order

Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe signed four executive orders immediately after his inauguration today, including one that outlaws discrimination against LGBT state employees.

Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.

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Sunnivie Brydum

January 12 2014 7:00 AM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Newly inaugurated Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe kept his campaign promise from last year when he was inaugurated Saturday, issuing an executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination as one of his first official acts as governor.

The executive order bans discrimination against state employees on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, reports the Washington Blade. The Virginian-Pilot noted that this is the first time such an ordinance in Virginia has included protections for gender identity and expression.

McAuliffe was formally sworn in as governor in an inaugural ceremony held Saturday at the state capitol in Richmond, despite booming thunder overhead and pouring rain.

McAuliffe's 16-minute inaugural addressed touched on past bipartisan successes, but also called for new and inclusive innovation going forward to create equal opportunities "for all of Virginia's children -- no matter if you're a girl or a boy, no matter what part of the Commonwealth you live in, no matter your race or religion, and no matter whom you love."

"There is still work to do to," continued McAuliffe, according to a prepared transcript published by the Washington Post. "We must work to ensure that the children of new immigrants to Virginia have equal educational opportunities. To ensure that someone can't lose a job simply because they are gay. And to ensure that every woman has the right to make her own personal health care decisions."