Va. ballot-wording Harsh and Hateful

C.E. Dorsett

The Virginia Senate had agreed to placing the most restrictive language of a proposed Anti-Equal Marriage Amendment on the ballot. This is viewed by some as a victory because while a majority of Virginians are against Equal Marriage but support Civil Unions... This all reminds me of a recent episode of South Park.

The full text of the amendment reads:

“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 (Gay.com).”

I do hope the shocking harshness of the language will defeat the amendment, but irrational fear often wins the day. We need to defeat the fear.