Virginia Gay Marriage Ban Will Be On Referendum This Year

[Frodo]

Gay Marriage Ban Advances Toward Va. Referendum;
Md. Lawmakers Offer Similar Bill

By Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 26, 2006; Page A01

RICHMOND, Jan. 25 -- The state Senate all but guaranteed on Wednesday that Virginia will hold a November referendum on whether to amend its 230-year-old Bill of Rights to bar same-sex marriages.

The Senate voted 28 to 11 to follow the House of Delegates in approving the amendment. Though each chamber still must pass the measure adopted by the other, their wording is identical and support among the senators and delegates is strong.
   
"The family is the foundation of our society, and it's been based on a union of a man and a woman since the inception of marriage," said Del. John A. Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake). "A constitutional amendment . . . will protect that."

In Maryland, Republicans introduced a similar measure in the Senate on Wednesday and said they believe they have the votes they need to bring the matter to an up-or-down vote, despite resistance from leaders of the Democrat-controlled legislature.

In the wake of a circuit court ruling last week that declared Maryland's 33-year-old ban on same-sex marriage discriminatory, GOP leaders said it was important to at least put the matter to a vote.

"Some senators are clearly going to be put on the spot," said Senate Minority Whip Andrew P. Harris (R-Baltimore County). "But I think they know we can't take the risk of sitting it out and doing nothing."

Eighteen state constitutions define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, many through amendments approved since 2003, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Massachusetts is the only state that grants marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Connecticut and Vermont recognize civil unions, while four states, the District and several dozen localities allow couples to formalize relationships through domestic-partnership registries.

District leaders are considering a bill that would strengthen the city's domestic-partnership law.

In Virginia, the General Assembly's action is likely to spark an intense campaign by the amendment's supporters and by gay rights groups before the Nov. 7 vote.

source

And here is the link to the Gay Marriage Ban Amendment.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Option 2 obviously.

[7,052,770]

Option 2 obviously.

[MasterJedi]

I'd vote Aye and it will hopefully pass in Virginia.

[opebo]

Option 2 obviously.

Agreed.  Anyone who would vote for such a thing should be fed to the lions.

[MODU]

I'd vote Aye and it will hopefully pass in Virginia.

^^^^^^

[opebo]

I'd vote Aye and it will hopefully pass in Virginia.

^^^^^^

Intolerant.

[MODU]

I'd vote Aye and it will hopefully pass in Virginia.

^^^^^^

Intolerant.

If that's how you want to view it, you're more than welcomed.  My gay friends here in the state know my views, and some of them share it.

[opebo]

I'd vote Aye and it will hopefully pass in Virginia.

^^^^^^

Intolerant.

If that's how you want to view it, you're more than welcomed.  My gay friends here in the state know my views, and some of them share it.

Why?  They hate themselves?

[Virginian87]

Option 1 (Democrat/Aye).  It will probably pass.

[Bdub]

I voted option 4.  Im so far the only Republican who would vote no on this.

[Q]

I voted option 4.  Im so far the only Republican who would vote no on this.

You're a good man.  Perhaps you should rethink your party affiliation, based on your positions on the issues.

[minionofmidas]

I voted option 4.  Im so far the only Republican who would vote no on this.

You're a good man.  Perhaps you should rethink your party affiliation, based on your positions on the issues.

Do you really need even more "business-friendly" Democrats?

Just kidding, of course you need everyone you can get to win elections again. Ah, the difficulties of winner-take-all politics...

[afleitch]

While I would vote 'Nay.' I'm pleased that this remains a state issue.
I can quite imagine many of these bans being overturned in a generation or two.

[nini2287]

Option 2 obviously.

An unnecessary piece of trash.

[Gabu]

Nay; however, it's obviously going to pass.

[Ebowed]

Option 2 obviously.

[Frodo]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Democrat -Nay:

From what I have read, this will not only outlaw gay marriage, but also civil unions, and I strenuously object to the idea of adding an amendment to the state constitution that is exclusivist and contrary to the spirit of the bill of rights that emphasizes liberty and freedom.  In fact, I also oppose the crime victims' amendment and would support stripping it out as well, and sticking to the constitution as it was originally written. 

As much as I oppose gay marriage, this goes too far, and I therefore intend to vote against it when it comes up for a vote this November.     

[Virginian87]

EDIT:  Changing my vote to nay/Democratic.  I didn't read this accurately enough.  I am opposed to gay marriage, but as Frodo put it, by outlawing civil unions and creating an exclusivist amendment to the Virginia Bill of Rights, this runs counter to the purpose of liberty that was originally outlined in that document.

[Sam Spade]

As is well known around the forum, I would vote aye.

[AkSaber]

I voted option 4.  Im so far the only Republican who would vote no on this.

I voted no.

[A18]

I would vote no, but since the fags keep trying to win in the judiciary, I'll vote yes just to spite them and the liberal activist judges.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

any close statewide races this year in VA?

[A18]

The only statewide race I'm aware of is the Senate race, which is not going to be close.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

The only statewide race I'm aware of is the Senate race, which is not going to be close.

Allen up for reelection?