Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the state of Virginia a surprise and sense of relief after he approved Same-Sex Marriages across the state.
It is prohibited by the bill for any individual with the authority to grant marriage licenses to discriminate against a couple based on their gender, race, or sexual orientation.
For the time being, the bill is mostly theoretical since same-sex marriage is already allowed in Virginia as a result of a 2015 Supreme Court decision.
An amendment that defined marriage as between a man and a woman is still in effect in Virginia’s state constitution. Voters adopted this amendment in 2006.
The Supreme Court’s decision rendered it null and void, but there is currently a movement to repeal the amendment, which would necessitate simultaneous approval by the General Assembly.
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The General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the measure regardless of party affiliation. The bill was opposed by the Family Foundation of Virginia, which stated, “It’s disappointing the Governor would have anything to do with a bill designed to divide Virginians.”
“I was pleased that he was beginning two years into his term to show some support to the LGBTQIA+ community,” said Rev. Mark Byrd, senior pastor at New Life Metropolitan Community Church in Norfolk.
According to the governor’s spokesman, he signed it into law because it strengthened Virginia’s protections for free speech. The constitution allows for the refusal to perform a marriage by religious groups or clergy members exercising their religious authority.