Lambda Legal Announces Plans for Marriage Equality Case in Virginia

Just this morning I noted in an earlier post how the decision in Windsor would likely trigger a flood of lawsuits challenging gay marriage bans in anti-gay states like Virginia.  Now, Lambda Legal has announced plans to file a legal challenge in Virginia to the vile Marshall-Newman Amendment.  I hope it is filed very soon because it will make it all the more difficult for Ken "Kookinelli" Cuccinelli to dodge his extremist positions on so-called social issues.  As Attorney General, he will have to file a response to the lawsuit and layout his anti-gay bigotry for all to see.  Here are details from Lambda Legal's blog (the full press release is here):

Lambda Legal and the ACLU are planning a new federal lawsuit seeking the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in Virginia.

Virginia couples who have suffered from discrimination and are interested in sharing how marriage discrimination harms their families or being a part of a campaign for the freedom to marry are encouraged to fill out a survey.

Greg Nevins, Supervising Senior Staff Attorney in Lambda Legal's Southern Regional Office, says:

The end of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act opens a new chapter in our work to ensure same-sex couples and their families across the country are treated with dignity and respect. We know that many same-sex couples and their families have waited a long time and we are excited to announce that the campaign for the freedom to marry is coming south.

We do not want a country so divided by unfairness and discrimination. Same-sex couples are in loving, committed relationships in every region of our nation and should be treated the same way, whether they live in Maine or Virginia. This is one America.

State laws that exclude same-sex couples from marriage not only harm those couples by denying them state rights and responsibilities, but also currently pose obstacles for legally married couples and surviving spouses seeking numerous federal protections and benefits, such as Social Security.

Lambda Legal will file a marriage lawsuit in Virginia as co-counsel with the ACLU and the ACLU of Virginia in the coming weeks.