Gays, lesbians fight for civil protections (WV)

[davidinalameda]

http://wvgazette.com/News/200902210507

In the basement of an East End church, an office wall is painted in rainbow stripes.

It's here that members of Charleston's gay community host meetings and plan events like the city's annual Rainbow Pride celebration. And it's here that they pick their battles.

For now, that means focusing on proposed legislation that would protect gays and lesbians against discrimination in the workplace, housing and at public accommodations.

They know topics like gay marriage spark emotion and fierce opposition. And while they'll fight current efforts to place a constitutional amendment on marriage, proponents of a nondiscrimination law - which 20 other states have - say it's a mainstream issue West Virginians will get behind.