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The Virginia House Privileges and Elections Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee has killed a proposal to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage. The vote was 6-1. Delegate Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) introduced HJ665 on January 9 and was co-sponsored by Delegate Rob Krupicka (D-Alexandria), “It’s a civil right,” Surovell said. “I don’t think that the constitution should prohibit the government from recognizing people’s love and commitment to each other solely because of their sexual orientation. I think it’s wrong and it’s hateful.”

Virginia is going to have to re-visit this issue either because the public demands it, because we are forced to by the Supreme Court or because corporations make it clear that they’d rather move to D.C. or Maryland in order to protect their employees,” he told the Blade in a statement. “Marshall-Newman is so broadly worded, that it puts even basic contracts in question. Ultimately, I’d like us to be talking about an amendment to add marriage freedom to our constitution. But as today’s action shows, we have work to do to even allow for basic contract rights between two people.” according to the Washington Blade.

 

Senator Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) introduced SJ1, a proposal to repeal the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Senator Ebbin is one of several lawmakers introducing a bill in Virginia that would repeal a gay marriage ban. The openly gay senator told  “Patch.com”that he thinks support for gay marriage is on the rise. The law would repeal the Marshall-Newman amendment, approved by about 60-percent of state voters in 2006, banning legal recognition of gay marriages.

“Virginians are ready to repeal the Marshall-Newman amendment,” said Senator Ebbin. “This unfair and discriminatory law denies loving couples the chance to build a life together, throwing up burdens that straight couples never have to face. People deserve to be judged by their actions, and laws that deny people fundamental rights because of their sexual orientation should have no place in Virginia. We have lost and will continue to lose hard-working citizens to other states.” according to the Virginia Democrats.

Track all bills at Richmond Sunlight.

GA: House Subcommittee Kills A Repeal On Same-Sex Marriage Ban  was originally published on kissrichmond.com