Virginia is for Homophobes
Yes that’s right, that evil anti-gay bill proposed by the VA legislature actually passed, apparently by veto-proof margins. I didn’t know this happened, until I received the following email:
EV ALERT: HAVE YOUR VOICE BE HEARD ON MARRIAGE AFFIRMATION ACT VOTE
In the single worst attack on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Virginians since passage of the Virginia “crimes against nature” law, on April 21, 2004 the General Assembly passed the “Marriage Affirmation Act,” a hateful and discriminatory piece of legislation that not only prohibits civil unions in Virginia, but also denies contract rights for gay and lesbian couples, currently the only way to protect our families.
Due to the broadness of the law, which goes into effect on July 1, this bill is poised to have sweeping consequences for our community. Among other things, was written to:
*void advanced medical directives giving a couple decision-making authority regarding each other’s healthcare
*prevent GLBT couples with children from entering into agreements about the custody and care of their children.
*Open up challenges to wills and estate planning.
NO STATE HAS EVER GONE THIS FAR IN DENYING ITS GAY AND LESBIAN CITIZENS THE MOST BASIC OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
Equality Virginia is now engaged in a massive effort to combat and eliminate this law. In the coming weeks you will hear much more about our efforts which include:
- Filing a lawsuit challenging the Constitutionality of this Law.
- On July 1, the day the law goes into effect, organizing a state-wide demonstration and actions raising public awareness about those most at affected by HB 751.
- Launching a public education campaign to educate all Virginians about the shameful actions of their legislature.
Your support is needed to make these actions successful.
While the Governor attempted to strike the worst portions of the law–the sections that stripped us of our rights to contract–the House of Delegates not only rejected these common-sense amendments, but they and the Senate then passed the original bill by a veto-proof 2/3 majority.
Unfortunately, a handful of legislators, including some who had indicated they would vote against the bill, joined with the majority to pass the original bill.
Please join the effort to fight the Marriage Affirmation Act by visiting the Equality Virginia Advocacy Center now and send letters to those who supported us and those who opposed us. The action center lists these individuals and will help you automatically send an email to each legislator.
Fuck this state, I’m moving to Pennsylvania. Hopefully Equality Virginia can straighten this mess out before all the queers move elsewhere, and I can’t say I won’t join the fight, but this has really shattered any love I previously had for this state. The Republicans and religious right have the state senate and house in a death grip, and the citizens are too damn ignorant to vote for fair-minded people.
[growls and gnaws on a politician's leg]
April 26th, 2004 at 15:46:31
Move to Canada, cutie
April 26th, 2004 at 16:01:57
oooh! I can’t believe it! What the hell is wrong with people!? I know that one day we’ll look back at this and laugh…until then! Fight, Fight, Fight!
*hugs*
MOMMY J
April 26th, 2004 at 16:03:38
Tha… is…just… GRR!!! *Joins you in gnawing* This just reminds me of why I hate people!!
April 26th, 2004 at 16:54:51
How about Florida!
April 26th, 2004 at 17:19:29
one day we’ll look back at this and laugh…
I certainly hope that comes to be true, and we can put matters like this behind us, as human beings, as a whole. I too wonder what the hell is wrong with people, every time I see something like this Virginia issue. It’s just.. disgusting that something like that can be proposed, and then passed! Equal rights for all people my tail! Fight, Fight, Fight!
April 26th, 2004 at 19:55:33
Well, the religious-right Republicans SHOULD be held responsible. But it takes two to tango, and like DOMA, I’m sure Democrats voted for it, too.
It’s odd. Because the trends are moving towards being more accepting of gays and gay-rights, so in 20 years when our generation starts to take over and society has evolved, all of these states are going to have to repeal all of this shit.
PA wouldn’t be much better, though. Think of Santorum.
(inside joke if you like Dan Savage)
-Jamie
April 26th, 2004 at 22:22:24
Well, the religious-right Republicans SHOULD be held responsible. But it takes two to tango, and like DOMA, I’m sure Democrats voted for it, too.
There may have been a few dem votes in favour of this bill, but with the incredibly disproportionate numbers of each party, every democrat in the house and senate could vote against it and it STILL would have passed with near-veto-proof margins.
April 26th, 2004 at 22:24:44
Well, my mate lives in Philly, so if I’m moving anywhere else, it just makes sense to move closer to him
April 27th, 2004 at 0:26:10
What burns me up worse is that in the newspaper, there’s a quote from the sponsor of this bill stating that “This bill doesn’t deny rights to anyone”. Did he not READ the bill that he fucking WROTE!?
April 27th, 2004 at 14:32:11
FYI, I now know who voted which way on this bill. All but two republicans from each house voted for it. One democratic senator voted for it, and two democratic delegates voted for it. Had they not renounced their support (they originally were against the bill), it still would have passed with a 2/3 majority needed to override the governor’s planned veto.