If there was any question as to which of the two main political parties supports equality for gay Virginians and which one wants to keep gays inferior - if not outright criminalized - this session of the Virginia General Assembly should make the contrast between the Democrats and the GOP crystal clear. As Virginia Senate Democrats announce a push for making Virginia less vitriolically anti-gay, over in the GOP controlled House of Delegates anti-gay Republicans are stating that they will kill any effort to begin the repeal of the Marshall-Newman Amendment this legislative session. The Richmond Times Dispatch looks at the announced Democrat initiative. Here are highlights:
Just two days after fellow party members were installed as governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, Virginia Senate Democrats unveiled a legislative agenda to expand gay rights in the commonwealth.
Proposed legislation would codify nondiscrimination laws protecting gays in the state workforce, and allow public colleges, universities and localities to extend benefits to same-sex partners.
Lawmakers also propose an amendment to the Virginia Constitution that would repeal the 2006 Marshall-Newman amendment. It underpins Virginia's ban on same-sex marriages.
“Clearly the tide of history is on our side, the moral arc of the universe is bending in our direction,” Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico told reporters at a news conference at the Capitol announcing what the caucus termed its “Equality Plan.”
McEachin's Senate Bill 248 would codify the executive order new Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed on Saturday providing workplace protections. Senate Bill 252 would allow partners benefits to public employees.
The senator said 21 states have employment discrimination protection for gays, a position endorsed by the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, announced SJ1, which would repeal the marriage amendment passed in 2006 by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William and Sen. Stephen Newman, R-Lynchburg. “Our marriage laws are becoming more antiquated every day,” said Ebbin, who described the current amendment regulating marriage as between a man and a woman, a “stain” on the constitution at odds with federal laws and the policies of neighbors like Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Making history this legislative session, however, is likely to be extremely difficult. A 2-1 Republican majority in the House of Delegates presents steadfast opposition to much of the agenda the Democrats announced Monday.
Several children wearing badges identifying themselves as members of the socially conservative Family Foundation, which opposes gay marriage, occupied seats at the news conference.
Passage of the some of the proposed legislation in the Virginia Senate, however, could put pressure on House members to cast votes in committee against bills for which a majority of Virginians have indicated support in surveys.
Two things outside the legislative realm would help further gay rights in Virginia: (i) the Southern Poverty Law Center needs to designate The Family Foundation as a hate group and (ii) the IRS needs to revoke The Family Foundation's tax exempt status. The Family Foundation is 100% involved in politics and advocates for and against legislation - something forbidden by the Internal Revenue Code.
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