Sam Hall is urging West Virginia
lawmakers to approve a measure that would prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation.
Hall is the gay coal miner who is suing
Massey Energy subsidiary Spartan Mining alleging widespread
discrimination. In the suit, Hall claims he was subjected to verbal
abuse and lewd gestures by his supervisors and other miners. The
abuse dates back as far as 2003. In 2007, Hall's December filing
claims, co-workers attached a sign that read “I like little boys”
to his car.
Hall, 28, will appear at a morning
press conference organized by the gay rights group Fairness West
Virginia, outside the Senate chamber.
The group is lobbying for passage of a
bill (SB226, HB2045) that would make it illegal to discriminate based
on sexual orientation in the areas of employment, housing and public
accommodations, which include restaurants and hotels.
Joining them will be two gubernatorial
candidates. Acting Senate President Jeff Kessler, a Democrat from
Marshall, and Secretary of State Natalie Tennant say they support the
group's efforts.
Both bills were introduced in January.