Virginia Considers Anti-Gay Plates
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| Tue, 01-04-2005 - 6:22pm |
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/01/010405vaLicense.htm
(Richmond, Virginia) Virginia lawmakers will consider legislation to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage in the new session of the legislature.
The state is one of what is expected to be up to a dozen states to take up the issue following voter approval in 11states last November of similar amendments.
But, the legislature will also look at a measure that would put the marriage issue on license plates. The bill calls for traditional marriage to be displayed on car licenses. If passed the plates would have interlocking gold wedding bands superimposed over a red heart over the legend "Traditional Marriage."
The bill was authored by Delegate Scott Limgamfelter (R-Prince William) a supporter of the marriage amendment.
To amend Virginia's Constitution, the measure would have to be enacted in two successive legislative sessions and put to a statewide vote by November 2006.
Some Democrats call the amendment repressive and unnecessary. Virginia already has legislation that prevents recognition of same-sex couples.
The law, passed last year (story), prevents the state from recognizing gay marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships and block any "contract or other arrangement" same-sex couples may enter into.
Democratic Del. Mitchell Van Yahres has filed a bill that would repeal the law, but most observers say it has little chance of passing. Most delegates have indicated they will vote for the amendment.

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Hi rayeellen
Sad but true, the state of affairs here in Richmond, VA. It's only getting worse. VA is not the state for lovers anymore. What is really amazing is the general publics knowledge base on the subject matter? I sat in a room with an estate planning attorney who was addressing a room full of Life Insurance agents. Interestingly enough, when I brought up the issue about the Marriage Affirmation Act, I was met with nothing but support from the whole room. Problem is this; the estate planner said that the act has no legal grounds, and that no insurance company in the United States is ever going to deny, or fail to remit a settlement to a beneficiary. His claim is that the act in itself, does not prevent two people from the same sex to plan their estates. I was so amazed. When I tried to bring up the discussion that was presented by an ACLU attorney at our local church, I was quickly shot down. He stated that the ACLU has no idea what the act entails, and that no one is going to deny same sex couples these rights. To say the least I was confused and blown away. Heterosexuals in our communities don't recognize the ramifications of this Act on the Gay community. This is why it keeps passing and will continue to grow worse, because there is no recognition of it's legality. To the general public, it's another rediculous law that will be ignored by everyone; it will remain in effect, however, never be enforced. Does any of this make sense to you? I thought I understood the content of the Act, until this seminar. I would have loved it if the ACLU attorney's had been there to hear the whole discussion.
hugs
halo
Hello!
It is unfortunate dipsticks keep proposing this stuff. I'd bet most people in Virginia really don't give a you know what one way or the other, then there are those of us for rights, and those against. Right now the big mouth against rights types hold sway, and are cocky because of the mythological interpretation of the last election, which has little basis in reality.
My guess is the righteous wrong is in the process of aiming at their foot as we speak.
Hey Rayellen
Thanks for sharing this.
*hugs ~ Caly
That's just over the top!
~ ML ~![]()
This does not surprise me, given that two of the biggest opportunists on this issue broadcast their hate from this state (Jerry Falwell in Lynchburg, and Pat Robertson in Virginia Beach).
Kim
Check out my
>>Yesterday at the car wash someone (stopped in traffic at a light) saw me kissing Court. He started honking his horn and shouting "YOU'RE GAY!" My knee-jerk reaction was to run to safety. In my haste to get in the car, I swung the door open and hit my face. I cut my lip open. I'm a real klutz of course-- but the injury happened because I was intimidated by the shouting.<<
Wish I had more time to post, but had to find a moment for this... *hugs*
What an ass... what an incredibly imbecilic comment, and it deserves something like a "No! I'm shocked! So that is wrong with me!" followed by a long, passionate kiss that turns the car wash to a thick cloud of steam.
Hugs, Sandra
Sandr
I'm sorry that you had to experience the yelling jerk! Your post was great!
I think that most straight people here in VA are unaware of the issue on a broad level. I brought this up before at the Equality VA meeting in our town. Before I got the rest of my sentence out, a woman scoffed at me, and said we posted flyers at all the gay bars...bla bla bla. What I was trying to say was this, "there are alot of gay people who are unaware that this bill has been passed, and a lot of straight people/friends that I know of, that have never heard about the bill". In fact, everyone of my friends straight and Gay, never heard of the act, and didn't know that there was a meeting going to take place. Not all gay people go to bars or read the popular local papers like Style Mag.
It's a big secret that is sliding under the door and getting passed. There has been no organizational effort/really, to bring it public. The VA Legislators are keeping it very low keyed, that's how it passed in the first place. We need a large scale effort across the US. This thing is going to get worse before it gets better, it's going to go State to State. Bush the Nazi that he is acting like, is going to finalize the effort in Congress. Does anyone out there not feel us becoming a communist country? What sect of the American public will be next? The jews? We are going backwards in time, and one religious sect is driving this country. I'm appalled that the State I live in is doing this, especially when you take into consideration that our land was the battle ground for freedom. When I was a little girl, I stood before the statue of Abraham Lincoln, and I read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights etc, I served our country and gladly would have died for it; sadly, I never knew that those rights excluded me/us.
I stopped going to the meeting because it was all talk and no action. No public up front action. They had one public rally and it seemed to go well, yet it could have been better. They are going to rally this summer or spring in Williamsburg. I think it's fine and dandy, however, it's not the tourists that are voting this issue in. The people in the state of VA need to know about it daily, and in their faces, and enough rambling....bla bla bla, time for me to go back to the meeting's. :)
halo
hugs
halo
Please buy this bumper sticker and put it on your car.
Kim
Check out my
Kim,
I believe in what you want to do. But I have to admit I am afraid of what might happen to you, or Courtney, or Amanda if you put that on your vehicles. I live in the Bible Belt. I love God, but do not consider myself a Christian. If I put an anti-Christian bumper sticker, because I have firm beliefs and what I feel is good reason to disagree with Christian beliefs, I would be in danger. These ignorant people in Virginia, they are the majority. I know from history what could happen to you and your family if you start a protest. I know that if someone doesn't fight for equality we will never have it. I guess I just don't want it to be you. I already feel terrible that you were injured, no matter how slightly, yesterday when that man yelled at you. I can picture the whole thing in my head and I hate what I see. Maybe you are willing to sacrifice for the good of many, but I care about you guys and I am afraid for you. Please be careful.
Hugs, Sandra
Sandr
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