Vote NO on NOvember 7

On the ballot next month in Virginia is a proposed amendment to the state's constitution. The so-called "marriage amendment" is a far-reaching attempt by conservatives to strip away the rights of couples—of any kind—who are not married. Conservatives are trying to get their base out to vote by promoting the amendment as something that will ban gay marriage. But gay marriage is already illegal in the state of Virginia so there is no need for an amendment to reinforce that. So who really is the target of this amendment? It's actually straight couples who are cohabitating.

What does the Marshall/Newman amendment say? Here's how it will read on the ballot:
BALLOT QUESTION NUMBER 1

Question: 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."?

Why should people be opposed to this amendment? According to The Commonwealth Coalition:
The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment goes too far.
This amendment goes far beyond existing state law to ban any and all legal recognition of relationships between unmarried couples (gay and straight). The effect of the amendment will be to render unenforceable any agreement between two unmarried people that "intends" to approximate the benefits, significance OR effects of marriage. This includes agreements for end of life and medical decisions, guardianship of children and ownership and transfer of property. The amendment also bans government recognition of same-sex or heterosexual civil unions and domestic partnerships meaning that no public college or university or other public employer will ever be able to offer unmarried couples health or life insurance benefits.

The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment writes discrimination into our Virginia constitution.
The Virginia bill of rights was written to protect the inalienable rights of individuals against the government. This amendment to the bill of rights would take rights away from all "unmarried individuals."

The proposed Marshall/Newman amendment unnecessarily intrudes the government into our homes and private lives.
Even if one is concerned about "gay marriage," Virginia has had a law on the books prohibiting same-sex marriage for 30 years and a law on the books prohibiting same-sex civil unions for 3 years. These laws have not been challenged. We do not need to take risks with the Virginia bill of rights by adding this ill-considered proposal with its far-reaching and largely unknown consequences for all unmarried Virginians. We do not need to jeopardize our privacy and extend government's reach further into our homes and private lives.

Yes, all of that is from The Commonwealth Coalition. I urge you to visit their Web site to get more informed about the amendment and its effects.

But the issue is in the media as well. Today's Roanoke Times has an article about the matter, which features yours truly and my partner Taryn as part of the story. The Times offers another article about how the amendment may affect domestic violence.

This is an important issue, and if you live in Virginia, I urge you to vote NO on the amendment. If you haven't registered to vote, TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to do so! In addition to voting against George Allen (see my last several blog entries!)—and yes, I'm voting more AGAINST Allen than I am FOR Jim Webb—you will also get to vote NO on the Marshall/Newman amendment. So be sure to vote!