In the wake of this summer’s tragic Supreme Court decisions on marriage, same-sex “marriage” advocates across the nation have been emboldened, filing suit against state constitutional amendments here in Virginia and in other states throughout the country. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against Virginia’s 2006 amendment that affirmed traditional marriage in Virginia, seeking to overturn the constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex “marriage.” Attorneys General in states such as Pennsylvania and Illinois have announced they will discontinue defending state laws prohibiting same-sex “marriage.”
Here in Virginia’s capital, three members of the Richmond City Council have proposed an ordinance to recognize same-sex “marriages” performed in other states and to extend benefits to same-sex partners who were legally “married” in other states and who now work for the city. As Virginia’s bishops wrote in their 2006 pastoral letter on marriage, “no religion, government, or individual has the right or the legitimate authority to alter the basic meaning and structure of marriage that has existed ever since the first man and woman were created.” This proposal is an affront to the importance of marriage and family in society and must be opposed.
The City Council will hold a hearing on the proposed ordinance in Council Chambers at Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Main Street on Monday, September 9 from 6-8PM and will allow public comment. Same-sex “marriage” proponents will be out in force for this public meeting, and it is important that we have a large presence at the meeting to stand for true marriage. If you are interested in attending, please click here for more information.
