As a newer faculty member at the College of William and Mary, and one who dragged his partner of 12 years to the Commonwealth for what promised to be an excellent job in an excellent place, Virginia's mistreatment of gay and lesbian people is the one sticking point.  As much as we are humiliated at not being eligible for legal protections for our relationship, the extension of benefits is another matter entirely.  It is about fair employment compensation.  I do the same job that my heterosexual colleagues do and I should receive the same compensation which includes benefits.  As a newer faculty member, I am to consider, among other things, whether William and Mary is a "good fit" for me.  I can tell you that, at this point, the one, singular part of my job that causes me to look for greener pastures is the lack of fairness towards gay and lesbian people in this state.  A move to extend the benefits of employment fairly for all would be a major step in the right directon on this issue.  Universities need the best in all hiring.  Unfair hiring policies beget lackluster hiring in all areas.