Democratic Virginia lawmakers press gay rights bills

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Last edited Wed Jan 15, 2014, 03:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm combining two threads into one, as they are about the same thing.

Democratic Virginia lawmakers press gay rights bills
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/democratic-virginia-lawmakers-press-gay-rights-bills/2014/01/13/7a06526a-7c61-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html

By Rachel Weiner,

RICHMOND — General Assembly Democrats launched a legislative campaign Monday to expand gay rights, hoping to take advantage of their party’s recent sweep of statewide offices as well as changing public opinion on the issue across Virginia and the nation.
....

Democratic lawmakers took up the cause at a morning news conference, backing measures repealing the state’s constitutional ban on gay marriage, banning discrimination in housing, allowing civil unions, recognizing same-sex marriages from other states and banning gay conversion therapy.
....

Republicans, meanwhile, are calling for a moratorium on the topic. ... “We are disappointed General Assembly Democrats would choose to make a divisive social issue the centerpiece of their legislative agenda,” said Matt Moran, a spokesman for the House Republican caucus. “Our focus should be on creating jobs and improving our schools. That’s what the people of Virginia want us to work on.”
....

In fact, in a sign of shifting public opinion, two Republicans have filed pro-gay-rights legislation in the House. Two of the bills echo Democratic legislation barring discrimination in public employment and housing. Another allows for a non-spousal partner to become a child’s adoptive parent. ... “It’s just the evolution of myself,” said Del. Ronald A. Villanueva (R-Virginia Beach) of his anti-discrimination bill. On the Republican side, he said, “there are some folks that are supportive and some that argue some of the older arguments that you see. Hopefully it will help push the discussion further.”

** cough, cough** The Marshall-Newman Amendment

Ebbin Begins Battle to Repeal Virginia's Gay Marriage Ban
http://oldtownalexandria.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/ebbin-begins-battle-to-repeal-virginias-gay-marriage-ban-oldtownalexandria

Posted by Jason Spencer (Editor) , January 12, 2014 at 01:38 PM

State Sen. Adam Ebbin has filed a resolution to begin the long process of trying to repeal a 2006 constitutional amendment that bans gay marriage in Virginia.

Specifically, the Marshall-Newman Amendment, as it is known, defines marriage as only between one man and one woman. The measure was approved in 2006 by about 57 percent of the vote.

But Ebbin, who is gay, believes the tide is turning. He cites progression toward marriage equality on the federal level and recent polling that indicates a majority of Virginians now support the idea.

"By 2016, I think that number will only grow. I think the public will get more and more used to the thought of gay people as first-class citizens," said Ebbin, an Alexandria Democrat whose district also includes parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties.

[gwheezie]

1. Our lgbt brothers and sisters

need for every virginian who supports equal rights for all to come out and vote the rightwing loon teabags out of office here.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Attempt to Repeal Virginia Gay Marriage Ban On Hold Until 2015

Attempt to Repeal Virginia Gay Marriage Ban On Hold Until 2015
http://ashburn.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/attempt-to-repeal-virginia-gay-marriage-ban-on-hold-until-2015_8d510db8

By Jason Spencer

An attempt to repeal Virginia's constitutional amendment that limits marriage to only one man and one woman was put on hold for a year Tuesday afternoon.

The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee deferred that and seven other proposed constitutional amendments until 2015.

State Sen. Adam Ebbin, who is gay, sponsored the repeal and told Patch last week that he hoped to get the matter before the full Senate, if only to gauge which members were supportive and which were not. He acknowledged that it would be a challenge to get that far, though.

The negative comments at Ebbin Begins Battle to Repeal Virginia's Gay Marriage Ban are what you'd expect, but this one should get some kind of prize:

keith mahone January 14, 2014 at 11:24 AM

Catherine, you are not a second-class citizen unless your perversion of choice is put on an equal footing with decency. That's preposterous. And homosexuality is not illegal. But just because you have the right to be wrong does not mean you have the right to have the state officially validate your opinion and cultural choices. Moreover, where do you draw the line: If you are willing to lead the fight to stop perceived discrimination according to gender combinations, what about age - men marrying adolescent boys? Shouldn't young boys be able to choose what they want? Why should they be "discriminated against" and their choices invalidated by law simply because of their age? Or what about kind? Shouldn't men, women and children be allowed to marry a sheep or a goat or a chicken if they CHOOSE because they are FREE and UNDISCRIMINATED AGAINST? Or how about inanimate objects? Why shouldn't anyone be allowed to marry a salad bowl or some deck furniture? Or how about number? Shouldn't three men, a boy, and a billy goat be able to marry a fold-up couch? This is the kind of lunacy that occurs once we simply yield to the desires of the citizen in question. And once we sanction one proscribed perversion, the next will rise to the surface. This is sinful and selfish man's natural tendency towards evil. This is what our laws protect us from when they are instituted by good men and women and functioning properly. Catherine, you are the scum of the earth! How dare you try to institute perversion and force every man, woman and child in Virginia to accept it as normal? How dare you accuse them of being bigoted for being virtuous! Your little Miss America speech about freedom and equality is Satanic and you are on your way to hell. Almighty God will not be mocked. His words will not return to him empty. Don't believe in God? You will soon enough. He'll either be your companion in eternal joy or your enemy while you reap the irreversible rewards of your demonic lifestyle forever. The choice is up to you. Good luck.