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Date published: 8/23/2006
Voters will have the opportunity to amend the Constitution of Virginia this November. The legalization of same-sex marriages in Massachusetts and the creation of "civil unions" in Vermont have created an urgent need for Virginia to join 20 other states that have voted to protect the institution of marriage. Here's what the marriage amendment will do: It will define marriage as the union of one man and one woman in our state constitution. Under existing law, same-sex marriages including "civil unions" and "domestic partnerships" are already illegal in Virginia. The marriage amendment will protect our existing marriage laws from court challenge. It will prevent Virginia from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states. It will allow the voters of Virginia to define marriage on a statewide ballot. Here's what the marriage amendment will not do: It will not take any existing rights away from anyone. It will not affect benefits offered by private employers. It will not affect wills, joint ownership of property, contracts, or agreements between unmarried individuals. It will not affect the enforcement of domestic violence laws. It will not change existing law; it only protects the institution of marriage from activist judges who would legislate from the bench. Marriage has been the bedrock of family and society for all of human history. Same-sex marriage violates the beliefs of every major world religion. Research shows that legalizing same-sex marriage devalues marriage for all couples, resulting in fewer people getting married, an increase in out-of-wedlock births, and greater instability for children. A plethora of studies prove that children fare best in a home with a mother and a father. A re-definition of marriage would impact what is taught in schools, who can adopt children, and the religious liberty of pastors and churches. Heather H. Stefl Stafford
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