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| Virginia Del. Robert Marshall (R-Manassas) introduced four amendments to prevent gay citizens from receiving benefits from their domestic partner’s employers. One would have denied benefits to any person who belongs to a group that the American Red Cross
refuses to accept blood donations from. Gay citizens are in that group. (Photo by AP)
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“Amend Article I of the Constitution of Virginia by adding a section numbered 15-A as follows: That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”
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HOME > NEWS > LOCAL
By: LOU CHIBBARO JR. COMMENTS
 
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few have chosen to do so because it involves a greater expense.
The General Assembly approved the resolution on Feb. 26 calling for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage after a Senate-House conference committee resolved differences in separate versions of the resolution approved earlier by the two bodies.
Most gay activists believe the amendment would ban legal recognition of civil unions and possibly other forms of same-sex relationships, including domestic partnerships, as well as same-sex marriage.
“Virginia says it’s for lovers, but that slogan should be retired as false advertising,” said Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way, a civil rights group. “In a state whose legal code is already filled with laws discriminating against gay people, this proposed amendment would cement into the state constitution second-class citizenship for gay and lesbian Virginians.”
Lou Chibbaro Jr. can be reached at lchibbaro@washblade.com.
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