I got back a little while ago from a local fundraiser for the Commonwealth Coalition, the Vote “NO” campaign. It was an ice cream social held at the Fred Heutte Center in Ghent. The Hampton Roads Men’s Chorus provided some fine entertainment. I had hoped to have a couple of pictures that I took on my cell phone (as usual, I forgot to take my camera) but after spending an hour getting them transferred out of my phone, the pictures were pretty bad.
The crowd was small but obviously energized to do their part to help defeat the Marshall/Newman amendment. Representatives from the Coalition’s partners were also there, including the Tidewater Partisans, Equality Virginia, and the newest partner, the League of Women Voters. Introduced was the Coalition’s Hampton Roads Field Coordinator Jason Robinson.
I attended this fundraiser as a demonstration of my support for the Vote “NO” campaign, which released this list of advisory committee members and organizational members last week. Like them, I firmly believe that this amendment needs to be defeated. I believe that government should stop at the door of my home, and not interfere into my personal life. I believe this amendment, worded very similarly to that of Ohio, will have consequences far beyond what the writers intended. More than anything else, I believe writing discrimination into our constitution is absolutely, without a doubt wrong.
Over the next few months, I will be doing what I can to help defeat this amendment. I urge you to do the same.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I think that the most ironic thing about this amendment is that the more a couple has consciously tried to protect each other with the available contracts, and has had those conversations with family members, the more evidence there is of an intention to “approximate” the rights, obligations, etc, etc, of marriage.
The intentionality itself, which denotes commitment and responsibility, is the evidence needed to demonstrate that we have run afoul of the law, and therefore can be punished by having those contracts nullified.
It almost seems designed to discourage commitment and responsibility toward our life partners, doesn’t it?
SIGH! What’s one to do! VOTE NO AND ENCOURAGE EVERYONE ELSE TO DO THE SAME!
Lawrence – black, gay and Republican?? I guess everyone has their cross to bear 😆
Seriously, though, everybody needs to get 10 friends to promise to vote NO. Then have those 10 get 10 more. Pretty soon, we’ll have enough to defeat this amendment!
and now… the added burden (in fact it’s pure pleasure) of partnering with DEMS to help defeat this knuckleheaded amendment! SEE! it’s NOT a Rep vs Dem thingy… it’s a right vs wrong thingy and most people who will support this simply don’t know anything about the hetero burdens. If I might suggest, those of you who “do the church thang” might want to start NOW educating Pastor about this because I PROMISE YOU the wrong headed people are going to do an all out blitz in 60 days!