If I had noticed before, BELIEVE me, I'd have mentioned it before
This is some really bad legislation.
The Virginia General Assembly passed a law April 21 banning all contracts between partners in homosexual relationships. Not just marriage, all contracts.
At the center of HB 751 is this language (emphasis ours):
A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respects in Virginia and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable.
This law not only prohibits civil marriage between same-sex partners, but actively seeks to invalidate any and all legal contracts between these individuals. Durable powers of attorney, health care directives, even wills and property contracts are at jeopardy now that this law has been passed. We have received numerous emails from couples, together for decades, who are now facing health crises made all the more terrifying by this legislation.
All of the private contracts entered into by gay couples looking to attain any measure of stability and protection under the rule of law are at risk. The language in this bill represents a new and dangerous low in legislative attacks on the sanctity and stability of homosexuals not only as committed couples, but as full citizens. It is hateful, dangerous, and demeaning legislation--and it is a shameful action from the state that was the earliest cradle of American democracy. The Washington Post, in an outraged editorial, says the law "flagrantly violates norms of basic fairness and decency."
