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Date: 2006-02-22 15:11:53
February 2006 Newsletter
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
February 2006 Newsletter
The “Marriage” Amendment – Yes, Virginia, It Goes Too Far!
As expected, the legislature has approved for the second time the so-called Marriage Amendment, which means Virginia voters will decide in November whether to write discrimination into the state’s Constitution for all time or to allow future legislatures at least the option of adopting some form of legal recognition for gay and lesbians couples such as domestic partnerships or civil unions. The proposed amendment would ban both.
We believe all Virginians should ultimately have complete legal equality, but even if one supports giving heterosexual marriage a privileged position in state law, this amendment goes way too far, especially considering the fact that a majority of Virginians support civil unions or some comparable legal arrangement. As you can see from the convoluted language below, the current wording is a sloppy and embarrassing mess that was rushed through in the early days of the session in order to forestall meaningful debate and consideration of alternatives. The proposed so-called Marriage Amendment, which would become Section 15A in Virginia’s Bill of Rights (!), states:
“That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions.
“This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.”
The only conclusion that many reasonable people can draw is that this amendment is so broadly and badly written that its authors want to conceal its breadth and effects from the very people who must decide upon it. The resolution was forced through its second vote in record time, leaving only time to fight over the companion “Implementation Bill” that defines the language that voters will be able to review before voting. As of this writing, the ballot language has been amended in the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee to include the entire wording of the amendment, and we support that effort. Despite its brevity, some proponents of the amendment are attempting to obscure the truth from voters and masking the fact that the bill would ban civil unions and domestic partnerships by merely summarizing the language on the ballot. In the interest of “truth in packaging,” we hope the G.A. ultimately decides to let the voters know exactly what the amendment says. The full effects of the amendment will not be known until, or if, it passes, but already similar amendments in other states (such as Ohio, where voters approved an amendment in 2004) are opening up a Pandora’s Box of legal challenges and ambiguities. The Ohio amendment alone has generated at least 12 legal challenges, including suits contesting prosecution of domestic violence offenses because the Ohio Constitution prohibits conferring marriage-like rights on unmarried victims of domestic violence. Make no mistake about it. Legislators were fully informed of the radical nature of this amendment and they had the opportunity to narrow it to simply define marriage, but, apart from a few honorable exceptions, they lacked the political courage to do so. It is now time to clean up this mess by defeating the amendment in November. The Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia will therefore spend the next nine months trying to convince elected officials, friends, neighbors, and fellow Republicans to go back to the drawing board or, better yet, simply leave the constitution of the Commonwealth uncluttered with the personal beliefs of those hostile to equal rights.
January Meeting – New Board ElectedThe January meeting saw the election of officers for 2006, who, after a motion from the floor, were elected unanimously. The new board for 2006 consists of the following persons:
President – Rebecca Maestri
Vice President – David Lampo
Secretary – Scott McCoy Treasurer – Greg Davis Membership – Scott McCoy
Internal Communications - Larry Yontz
External Communications – Jeff Jacobs
Social Director – Daniel Gri
Chairman/Director of the PAC – Gene Lawson
Webmasters—Jean Hacken and Steve McLendon
We congratulate the new Board and we need your continued involvement in the Club to continue its success. We have been actively engaged during the legislative session in Richmond this year, we are planning for our Political Acton Committee fundraiser in the spring and the Log Cabin Republican National Convention in Washington in late April. Your new team of officers appreciates the vote of confidence you have given them, and we ask for your continued support and activism throughout the coming year. After the election of new officers, Arlington County Police Officer Loreann Grimes spoke to the Club about the formation of a Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) in the ACPD, the focus of which will be combating crime within the gay and lesbian communities. This unit of the police department will start to track crimes based on sexual orientation, will focus on crimes that are not being reported because of fear of the police, and will serve as a point of contact and outreach to different parts of the community. The District of Columbia has had such a unit in their police department for five years, and Arlington County will be working closely with that unit. This GLLU is the first in Virginia, and as Officer Grimes said, “Police departments usually run in crisis mode; let’s not wait until a crisis hits us in the face.” The Unit will serve as a resource for the Department as well as the community, serving as a focal point for police sensitivity training and working in outreach efforts to county high schools. President Rebecca Maestri has written a letter of thanks to Arlington County Chief of Police M. Douglas Scott, thanking him for his vision and efforts in fostering understanding and sensitivity between the police force and the gay and lesbian community. To read the letter, visit our website at www.VirginiaLogCabin.org. Members can thank Chief Scott by writing him at: M. Douglas Scott, Chief of Police, Arlington County Police Department, 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, VA 22201. February Meeting – Learn about Americans for ProsperityWe’re pleased to have as our guest speaker on Tuesday, February 21, Rob Whitney, the State Director of Americans for Prosperity (AFP) in Virginia. Rob will tell us about the organization’s goals and legislative agenda, as well as what the national organization is involved in. Their website is www.afphq.org if you’d like to check them out. Please join us on Tuesday at 6:30 for drinks, with the program beginning promptly at 7:00. We will also be getting an update on the latest legislative actions in Richmond. See you then at the Boulevard Woodgrill, 2901 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington! Equality Lobby Day in Richmond – 500 Virginians Press Their Legislators for Equal Rights
The Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia would like to thank the more than 500 Virginians who met in Richmond on January 25 to lobby legislators for equality and fairness for all. This event, organized by Equality Virginia, involved scheduled appointments with many legislators at which their constituents spoke out for equal treatment from our government. Participants were provided with a summary of pending legislation that will affect gays and lesbians directly, a simple guide on how to lobby and meet with elected representatives, and encouragement to become more involved through grassroots lobbying. The day’s worth of activities culminated in a reception at the Library of Virginia that was attended by the Governor, members of the legislature, and the press. To everyone who was able to attend this year, we say, “thank you,” and for those who were not able to make it to Richmond, we say, “see you next year.” It’s hard to ignore 500 voters and constituents who are united and speaking in one voice. The Employment Nondiscrimination Bill Defeated in Close VoteDespite a drawn-out debate and dialogue on SB 700, a bill would have protected all Virginia public employees from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the Senate General Laws Committee in charge of the bill failed on February 8 to report (or pass) the bill by a vote of 6-8-1. The Virginia Government Employees Association, the Virginia Education Association, church leaders, and several Senators spoke eloquently in favor of the bill, but opponents prevailed, despite the fact that an overwhelming number of Virginia voters oppose discrimination in hiring based on sexual orientation. It should be remembered, however, that it took three years before the health insurance parity bill was passed last year, and many observers noted that some senators appeared to be uncomfortable with their votes, even as they voted against the legislation. As with the health insurance bill, the breadth of support for employment nondiscrimination showed that this is not a “gay agenda” item; it is a “fairness agenda” item. We thank those who sponsored and voted for this bill, as well as Gov. Tim Kaine, who added sexual orientation to the protected classes in his first Executive Order that covers government hiring. Ultimately, we will prevail. Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner – Saturday, April 8, in RichmondMark your calendars! The third annual Equality Virginia (EV) Commonwealth Dinner is Saturday, April 8, in Richmond. Equality Virginia is a non-partisan gay and lesbian rights organization that works to end discrimination against sexual minorities. Each year, this gala event has grown as EV honors friends and supporters and celebrates progress towards legal equality. This year, former U.S Senator Charles Robb will receive the Equality Commonwealth Award. The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance (AGLA) will receive the Equality Community Award and former Republican State Senator and Secretary of Health & Human Resources, Jane Woods, will receive the Equality Public Servant Award. This black-tie-optional event will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 7:00 – 10:00 PM. The Log Cabin Republican Club will be hosting a table, as will our vice president and political director, David Lampo. Tickets are $100 (VIP tickets $200), and you can register to attend at www.EqualityVirginia.org. Click on the host at whose table you’d like to sit. Calendar of Events –Tuesday, February 21 – Regular monthly Club meeting at the Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon. The social begins at 6:30 and the meeting begins at 7:00.
Saturday, March 4 – Rep. Tom Davis kicks off his 2006 re-election campaign at the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department, 7128 Columbia Pike, Annandale from 6 – 8 PM. Cost is $15. For more information, call 703-556-0120.
Tuesday, March 21 – Regular monthly Club meeting at the Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon. See details above.
Saturday, April 8 – Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner in Richmond, 7:00 – 10:00 PM. See above for details.
Thursday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30 – 2006 Log Cabin National Convention in Washington. Visit www.LogCabin.org for details and to register for this great affair. |
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The Only Question That Matters: Do People Choose Their Sexual Orientation?
Noted author Chandler Burr has written a new white paper for the Liberty Education Fourm. Burr's white paper clearly demonstrates that we already know the answer to this question--people don't choose their sexual orientation. This has important political implications and it's a powerfull tool for achieving equality. Click here to read this new report. |
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Quotable Quotes |
Richmond Times-Dispatch Friday, February 17, 2006 Barry Goldwater, speaking in 1981: "I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that, if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in A, B, C, or D . . . .I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate." |
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