Progress?

Election Day, 2006:

Proposed Constitutional Amendment To Be Voted on at the November 7, 2006, Election

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

Article I. Bill of Rights.
Section 15-A. Marriage.

BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 1

Shall Article I (the Bill of Rights) of the Constitution of Virginia be amended to state: “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.”? (State Ballot Question)

Delegate Kathy J. Byron, Campbell Republican, who co-sponsored the measure, said the amendment is one of the most important she has ever seen. "[Traditional marriage] is the fundamental building block of our society," Mrs. Byron said. "Now that definition, that tradition, that foundation is threatened. If we do not act, marriage as we have come to know it will be redefined through the judicial process."

Delegate Robert G. Marshall, Manassas Republican, said he is convinced that the courts will try to force Virginia to recognize the nuptials of same-sex couples, and rebuffed critics. "We are not here about hatred. We are here about marriage," he said. "This is not a civil rights issue. ... We are defending marriage, which is seriously under attack." (Washington Times (and others))

"The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation." Pierre E. Trudeau, 1967, then Justice Minister of Canada who was responsible for removing laws against homosexuality from the Criminal Code of Canada.