Attempts to ban gays from openly serving in the Virginia National Guard and, conversely, to have the Guard adhere to the same regulations as the U.S. Department of Defense, died on Tuesday in a House committee.
The House Rules panel dispatched House Bill 2474, the proposed ban sponsored by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, over what members called practical considerations.
Del. Bill Janis, R-Henrico, said different standards for members of the state's Guard versus other service members could present a "management and leadership nightmare" if they were to serve together.
And he questioned the effects of such a change on federal funding.
Marshall said he didn't agree with the management concerns and argued that the state already has some different standards for the National Guard than the U.S. armed forces without triggering funding disruptions.
James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia, urged the panel to leave the matter up to the governor and the Guard's military leadership.
"No matter how one feels about Congress' decision to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell,' the Virginia National Guard should, and we believe, must abide by the same rules as every other federal military unit," he said.
A second bill, House Bill 2345 sponsored by Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, would have made eligibility for service in the Virginia National Guard adhere to the laws and regulations adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The committee quickly moved to kill the bill before Morrissey spoke to it because the panel had just decided on Marshall's measure.
omeola@timesdispatch.com
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