Prior posts have noted the efforts of Del. Bob Marshall to legalized anti-gay discrimination on a broad scale. Marshall - who has stated he'd like to drive all gays from Virginia - has many allies in the Virginia GOP and, most importantly, is pushing the anti-gay agenda of The Family Foundation ("TFF"), a hate group in all by formal SPLC designation. Countering these efforts are Gov. Terry McAuliffe (about whom TFF has nothing good to say) and Democrat members of the Virginia General Assembly who want to drag Virginia once and for all out of a 1800's style theocracy. The Washington Post looks at the vying efforts. Here are highlights:
With the legalization of same-sex marriage in Virginia, Democrats and some Republicans have unleashed a torrent of proposals intended to reflect the new reality in time for the start of the legislative session on Wednesday.
Liberal lawmakers have jumped at the chance to remove language banning gay marriage from the state’s constitution and statutes — a move that could energize their most ardent supporters in a year when all 140 General Assembly seats will be up for grabs.
The proposals also could force skittish Republicans to take a stand on gay rights, possibly pushing them into an awkward balancing act between fears about primary challenges from the right and the potential for alienating moderate general-election voters.
On Monday, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said scrubbing the state code of references to “husband and wife” in exchange for the gender-neutral term “spouse” will help attract businesses to the state — the centerpiece goal of his governorship.
With gay marriage in particular, polls show that the overall electorate slightly favors it. Yet Republicans are unlikely to budge until the U.S. Supreme Court defines marriage once and for all.
“The lack of a clear and definitive answer from the Supreme Court and pending cases in other parts of the country creates legal uncertainty for the commonwealth. It is unlikely that the House would make significant changes to the law while this uncertainty remains,” said Matt Moran, a spokesman for Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), who himself faces a challenge from the right in an evenly split district.
Four Democrats — Sen. Adam P. Ebbin and Del. K. Robert Krupicka Jr. of Alexandria and Sen. Janet D. Howell and Del. Scott A. Surovell of Fairfax — filed resolutions seeking to remove the ban from the state constitution. Amending the constitution requires passage in two legislative sessions with an election in between as well as voter approval.
Conservative activists say the proposals are nothing but red meat for the Democratic base, not unlike other parts of McAuliffe’s legislative agenda.
Susan Swecker, a longtime Democratic activist and national committeewoman, said Democrats’ bills show the party is “marching in lock step” with voters, who have rewarded Democrats with all five statewide offices. “There’s been a sea change,” she said. “In the last 10, certainly 20 years, a change in how people feel about this issue.
Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax) said such bills will have little chance until federal law includes the LGBT community as a protected class.
Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) filed two “conscience clause” bills: One would block McAuliffe from making nondiscrimination against people because of their sexual orientation a condition of entering into a government contract. The other says anyone who gets a license or authority from the state would not have to serve or counsel same-sex couples if he or she has moral or religious objections.
[James] Parrish of Equality Virginia called the licensure bill “extremist, hateful, and discriminatory.” He said: “Discrimination under the guise of religious freedom is still discrimination, and Virginia is better than that.”
Personally, I don't see any pro-gay measures passing the Virginia General Assembly - the Virginia GOP is too focused on groveling to Victoria Cobb, president of TFF and putative dominatrix of the Virgina GOP. The good news is that Gov. McAuliffe will veto whatever batshitery the Republicans manage to pass during the coming legislative session.
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