I strongly oppose the passage of 22VAC40-131-170 Part B, which states that "the licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability or family status".  If this proposal passes, a lot of children who would normally be adopted by traditional, mainstream families will remain orphans. 

Same sex couples already have the ability to adopt a child through non-religious organizations.  Why pass a proposal that causes the shutdown of religious adoptive organizations?  Virginia's proposal, which in effect causes the closure of religious adoptive organizations, will hurt a lot of innocent children. 

I believe in God, men and women and their roles in traditional, mainstream families.  I believe that each gender brings specific qualities to a marriage, and to the children that come from that union.  I just don't believe that same sex relationships can provide those differing elements to our children.  We could argue all day about the right and wrong elements of same sex relationships, however, what's important right now is that we don't allow the passage of 22VAC40-131-170 Part B, which in effect hurts children and the religious adoptive agencies that help them.

Please do not allow the passing of 22VAC40-131-170 Part B - a bad idea unworthy of Virginia.