Posted on 02/13/2014 8:14:49 PM PST by cutofyourjib
NORFOLK, Va. (WTVR) – A federal judge declared late Thursday night that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, confirmed Michael Kelly, Director of Communications for Attorney General Mark Herring.
The update was first made on Herring’s Facebook page and his Twitter account.
MT “@AGMarkHerring: *ALERT* Federal judge declares state's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. Issues stay pending appeal.”— Mark Herring (@MarkHerringVA) February 14, 2014
“Equality in Virginia took a big step forward tonight as a federal district judge declared Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional,” Herring wrote.
“The judge issued a stay with her injunction pending appeal, meaning marriage licenses will not yet be issued to same-sex couples, but today is a great day for those who want to see all Virginians treated equally regardless of who they love.”
That ruling can be read in full here: http://legaltimes.typepad.com/files/edva-ssm-opinion.pdf
A lawsuit challenging the commonwealth’s ban on same-sex marriage went before U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen on February 4, in Norfolk.
The case of Bostic vs. Rainey argued that the Virginia Marriage Amendment, passed in 2006 by 57 percent of voters, is unconstitutional.
Tim Bostic and Tony London are the Norfolk couple who applied for a marriage license last year and were denied.
Since then they have gain the support of Virginia’s top brass behind them. State Attorney General Mark Herring and Governor Terry McAuliffe, both Democrats, have said they won’t defend the state’s constitutional ban.
Herring’s office issued a statement a couple of weeks ago saying they hope it “will be a landmark ruling in Virginia on one of the most important civil rights issues of our time.”
An excerpt from the judge’s conclusion reads:
“ The Court is compelled to conclude that Virginia’s Marriage Laws unconstitutionally deny Virginia’s gay and lesbian citizens the fundamental freedom to choose to marry.
Government interests in perpetuating traditions, shielding state matters from federal interference, and favoring one model of parenting over others must yield to this country’s cherished protections that ensure the exercise of the private choices of the individual citizen regarding love and family.”
Organizations that have worked towards marriage equality in the Commonwealth for years, like Equality Virginia, said that the ruling is historic.
“The ruling finally puts Virginia on the path toward allowing lesbian and gay couples to marry the person they love here in the place they call home,” James Parish, executive director for Equality Virginia said.
Bingo! Exactly right. This needs to be shouted high and low. There is NO discrimination.
It won’t matter. They will find the amendment to your state constitution federally unconstitutional. They have already done it elsewhere.
There is no way out. This is leftist tyranny. We let them stack the judgeships for years, and now they are overwhelming the people.
Notice that they do this soon after they win the Governorship and AG. They govern against the will of the people, because they know that they can get away with it. Just like Obama.
Elections have consequences. But more fundamentally, rampant, unrepentant, rebellion against God has consequences.
It still has to be approved by a panel. She just put a stay on it.
Its only constitutional when they win. They havent won yet.
We have not had a republic for some time.
But here is the point that I think everyone is missing. Homosexuals have the same right to marry someone of the opposite sex as heterosexuals.
How can this be a “denial” of equal protection?
Thus we see the fruit of Relativism. 100% anti law. 100% perfect for dictatorships.
Monster
Agree.
I now fully believe that this nation is under God’s judgement, or at least that He has turned His face away from us. According to the Bible, when He does this, He turns the people over to rampant homosexuality.
The gifts of Mitt Romney following the decision of the Massachusetts State Supreme Court seem to never end.
If we all pray for Ted Kennedy, things will get much better.
The folks that voted Democrat since the late 60`s are responsible and have blood on their hands.
We know how this ends baring intervention from God, He would have to change the hearts of several of the evil Democrats on Supreme Court
Outside of that, we need to take back the power we wrongly gave to the court to rule over us, was never intended for the high court to have this much power
Perhaps Mark Levin and Jay Sekulow should run for President with this agenda
?Wow! What is that thing?
Nope. Progressives never stop their assault on our way of life.
If Obama had a daughter that old, she’d look just like that.
The court didn’t strike down a law in VA. They struck down an amendment to our state Constitution that was passed with a very large margin.
Bullshit! Virginia voted overwhelmingly to enact a constitutional amendment protecting marriage.
this is all based on the illiterates of the legal profession buying the myth of “born that way”.
These judges (particularly female lawyers and judges) have this unscientific worldview of behavior is born that way.
In another time they would advocate for the physical flat earth, geo-centric universe, and dead people are innocent of witchcraft.
The legal profession, and judges, are a joke because ANYONE and I do mean ANYONE, with a four year degree can go to law school and sit for the bar exam.
Will this ever stop?
NO it will not until government is out of the marriage business. Stop issuing marriage licenses and start issuing civil contracts. Marriage should be the business of religion and pastors only.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.