Old Dominion's old bigotry stands even today

Date published: 2/17/2005

About 25 years ago, my husband and I were married in Fairfax. It was an event that could not have taken place even 13 years earlier.

Until June 1967, a black person and a white person could not marry in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We would have had to go to another state to be married. The law that would have prohibited our marriage was defended on the basis of biblical scripture that purportedly proved that mixed-race marriages were wrong in God's eyes.

A second event that also took place in Virginia 25 years ago let my husband and me know that things were still "not quite right" in Virginia. While house-hunting, we visited a new development and were told that no houses would be finished by the time we needed one.

We later discovered that plenty of houses would have been ready in time. It was made clear that we would not be welcome in that community and that the basis for it was not who we are, but what we are.

What brought these two events to mind recently was the treatment that our friends Tibby and Barbara are now receiving in the Commonwealth of Virginia ["Couple feels forced to leave," Jan. 9].

The laws and proposed constitutional amendment that would keep Tibby and Barbara from even entering into a civil union is defended on the basis of biblical scripture that purportedly forbids such a thing.

It is being made clear that they are not welcome in Virginia, not because of who they are, but because of what they are. My husband and I had hoped that such unequal treatment of residents was in Virginia's past, but it is happening today. How sad.

I fervently hope that someday Virginia and Virginians will accept and honor gay and lesbian unions. I also hope that Tibby and Barbara will forgive us all for electing legislators who would exclude them from what others take for granted.

I can add only that our lives will be diminished by the loss of this loving, generous, and caring couple. They will be sorely missed.

Sara Toye

Spotsylvania

Read more stories about Spotsylvania
Date published: 2/17/2005