Two Small Steps for Mankind - Two bills important to Virginia gays and lesbians passed their first tests in the General Assembly this week.

Decriminalization - The first is a post-Lawrence restructuring of the criminal laws against sodomy. As the Daily Press reports, the Senate's Courts of Justice committee approved Pat Ticer's bill with minor changes. The draft would legalize sodomy except in public or as an act of prostitution and also reduce the penalty for public sodomy from a Class 6 felony to a Class 3 misdemeanor.

DP Benefits - The second bill, mentioned here in passing before, legalizes domestic partner health insurance for the first time in Virginia. The House Committee on Commerce and Labor passed a revised HB1016 which expands group coverage beyond an employee's spouse and children to include any other person the employee elects, provided that the insurer and the employer both agree to such coverage.

Damn - you could almost say the Commonwealth was getting gay friendly. Almost. Now each bill goes on to votes in their respective houses. Keep your fingers crossed. Oh, and in case you're wondering, Ben - both committees are dominated by Republicans.