I just heard that the VA. state legislature overwhelmingly passed an anti-gay marriage measure. They have a two-thirds majority and so the measure is immune from gubernatorial veto, though not to challenge in the courts.
What is so evil about this law? Many states have passed defense-of-marriage type statutes that define marriage as a union of one man and one woman, but still allow civil unions for gays. Such civil unions are supposed to grant such rights as hospital visitation, kinship, and so forth. Personally I don’t see anything wrong with gay people marrying; yet I appreciate the fact that some people simply object to the redefinition of marriage to include gay unions. At least, however, the idea of civil union offers some accommodation, besides, I would think, eliminating or reducing numerous legal hassles that could eventually result from extralegal unions.
But the Virginia law denies gays the right to form any sort of legal union *or contract *that in any way resembles marriage. I’ve just been hearing about it on NPR, and it evidently could lead to legalistic nightmares that could affect business partnerships and other arrangements that have nothing to do with marriage.
I mourn the fact that I live in a country capable of producing such laws, even if it’s not my state.
Well, it is my state. I’m not sure what else to expect from a state which puts a tax increase up for a vote, then passes it legislatively when it doesn’t get voted in.
Yep. I’m a conservative Republican in Virginia, and I’m not happy about it.
This could happen in lots of states.
Which is why I made the case in a discussion in the Pit that the gay community should direct their efforts toward reasonable civil union legislation, rather than full gay marriage.
This kind of backlash was bound to happen, with the amount of stridency seen on both sides. I really believe a little calm compromise is in order now.
This measure is ill-thought-out, overbreadth, and foolish in the extreme. While Iagree that a state has the power to regulate marriage, this goes far beyond that and will have serious and unintended consequences.
Which of course describes much of the “soup of the day” stuff that emerges from state and national legislatures. If a controversy arises when the legislature is in session and there is a vocal and passionate lobby the legislature will spring at the chance to pass an ill-considered, over-breath, one-size-almost-fits-all statute just to appease a noisy constituency. It’s just human nature. Act in haste; repent at leasure.
Christ! My girlfriend (partner) was just offered a job in northern VA (she works for the Feds) and even though not one molecule of me wants to move to VA, I was considering it because I love her, but this is a deal-breaker! We have a full-on partnership agreement here, own a house together, power of attorney, life insurance beneficiaries, etc., etc., etc. She pretty much has to take the job, so I don’t know what we’re gonna do. I’m NOT moving to a state that codifies this kind of bullshit, though. No way. :mad:
Anybody else who’s gay in VA want to weigh in? I’d like more info to give her…
I’ll second the MD suggestion. Also, depending on how much of a commute you’d accept, I know a lot of people who’ve moved to the way edge of West Virginia near DC. Yes, I know it’s WV, but that area seems to be much more like the DC suburbs than other parts of WV (I lived in Huntington for four years in college). The housing prices are slightly lower, too. I’m not sure what the WV laws are, nor do I know what the MD laws are, but I’m pretty sure neither has passed such a ridiculous fucking law.
I grew up in VA. I’ve lived there my whole life save my four years in college, four years I lived in NYC, and the past three months (now I live in Ohio, which has also banned gay marriages). I’m sad more than anything else. I’m sad that I lived in such a hateful state. I’m sad that many of my fellow Virginians will accept and agree with this law.
And people ask me why I want to emigrate to Quebec.
Similar legislation has been passed in a number of states. This has been a sad couple of years in the “land of the free.” It’s just too bad that goups of vocal bigots can sway legislatures so easily, legislatures filled with moral cowards or unprincipled opportunists. Two thirds! Sheesh! :rolleyes:
Front Royal. It would be a long commute, if the mapquest version is correct. I also hear that any sort of commuting arrangement involving D.C. is fairly horrific. I grew up in Delaware and went to college there, just over the border from MD. I remember a Klan contingent marching in the streets of this bucolic little college town (Newark, DE). Granted, that was quite a few years ago, but I still don’t know how good I feel about MD, either. I’ve never missed anything about Delaware, either, except maybe Rehoboth Beach, which is sort of cool…
Plus, I’m a psychologist who specializes in treating gay & lesbians - I should be able to find a job, no problem, eh? :rolleyes:
Quebec’s been looking good to me too lately, Avabeth.
If the job’s in Front Royal, definitely check into WV. The two are fairly close.
Getting back on the subject for a second - I’m curious, does this mean that any company that gives benefits for a domestic partnership legally can not do so any longer? If the government doesn’t recognize it, are these companies able to? I ask because I know that a large credit card company out of NoVa and Richmond does give benefits for domestic partnerships.
I hope you’re right, Karen. But if they don’t choose to deal with it, or worse, if GWB gets the chance to change the character of the court (not likely now, unless he gets elected in November), they may uphold these outrageous laws.
Note that I did not say re-elected, as *that man * hasn’t been elected President yet.
Try commuting from DC, if you can. They don’t have same sex marriage yet, but they do include sexual orientation in nondiscrimination law at least. They might even recognize civil unions, IMO.
(Not a lawyer, post not legal advice, you know the drill)
So, if George Bush is elected in November that will be his first? Would you help me work with Democrats to make sure he’ll be able to run in 2008 since that would be his second run? :wally
Can we take this as a reference to the Star of David that Jews had to wear during Hitler’s reign? I know your sexual preference, and it doesn’t concern me. Trust me, the sun still came up in the east in my world. But tell me why I shouldn’t see your post as another reason for so many to dismiss your position as extremist? (Note: Avoided “Left-Wing”)
