As this blog has noted before, the present day Virginia GOP is a de facto arm of The Family Foundation ("TFF"), a virulently anti-gay Christofascist organization based in Richmond with affiliations with Focus on the Family and registered hate group, Family Research Council. Unless granted permission by TFF's dominatrix like president, Victoria Cobb, no Republican member of the Virginia General Assembly dares to vote for any social policy related bill. Today saw TFF's power of intimidation in full play as a bill sponsored by Del. Scott Surovell (pictured above) that would commence the process of repealing Virginia’s anti-gay constitutional amendment was killed in a GOP dominated committee. Rather than taking a formal vote - something that individual Republicans and spineless Democrats like to avoid so as to not leave a tell tale record of their bigotry - the bill was killed by a voice vote. No doubt the evil Ms. Cobb and her theocratic supporters are rejoicing over the fact that LGBT Virginians have again been reminded that they are fourth class citizens. The Virginian Pilot looks at this disgusting development. Here are highlights:
An effort to begin the process of repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage was turned back today in a House of Delegates subcommittee.
The amendment, approved by voters in a 2006 referendum, defines marriage as "only a union between one man and one woman.”
Del. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax County, chief patron of the repeal measure, said public opinion has shifted over the past seven years, making Virginia “increasingly isolated” on the issue. He warned that businesses would be hesitant to locate in Virginia because the state is perceived as unfriendly to gay employees.
Surovell’s measure (HJ665) was defeated on a voice vote with no discussion by the Republican-dominated panel.
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