Showing posts with label Gay Marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gay Marriage. Show all posts

Friday, October 10, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Directing State Agencies to Comply with Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Girls in Small Black Bikinis and Bras at the A...
. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Since There Is No State Oversight, State Agencies Can Ignore This Order?  We Would Recommend Yes!


Today Governor Terry McAuliffe signed Executive Order #30, directing all Virginia state agencies, authorities, commissions and other entities to make the necessary policy changes to comply with yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision not to review the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision legalizing gay marriage in Virginia. The text of the Executive Order is as follows:



NUMBER THIRTY (2014)





Importance of the Issue

            The highest priority of state government should be to guarantee every person’s right to live, learn, work, and do business, regardless of their race, gender, creed or sexual orientation. This principle guided my first act as Governor when I signed Executive Order #1 banning discrimination in the state workplace based on sexual orientation or gender identity. This principle also guided the Virginia leaders, advocates and allies who fought for marriage equality and won when the Supreme Court declined to review the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling inBostic v. Schaefer. Same-sex marriage is now legal in Virginia. This is a historic and long overdue moment for our Commonwealth and our country.

            The decision has opened new doors to my administration’s guiding principle of equality. An open and welcoming environment is imperative to grow as a Commonwealth, and to build a new Virginia economy that will attract vital businesses, innovative entrepreneurs, and thriving families.

            On issues ranging from recognizing same-sex marriages to extending health care benefits to same-sex spouses of state employees, state government is already well-prepared to implement this landmark decision. My administration will act quickly to continue to bring all of our policies and practices into compliance so that we can give married same-sex couples the full array of benefits they deserve. 

            Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth, and pursuant to Article V of the Constitution and the laws of Virginia, I hereby order, effective immediately, that all entities in the executive branch, including agencies, authorities, commissions, departments, and all institutions of higher education further evaluate all policies and take all necessary and appropriate legal measures to comply with this decision.  

In addition, the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall notify all state agencies that employees whose same-sex marriage is recognized as legal in the Commonwealth, and who are eligible, may enroll their spouse and eligible dependents in the health benefits program for state employees within sixty (60) days of marriage.

            A full and complete report of all appropriate measures will be reviewed by the Counselor to the Governor and presented to the Governor on or before November 15, 2014.

Effective Date of the Executive Order
            This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing, and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.
            Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 7th day of October, 2014.


                                                                                                                                                      ___________________________________
Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor






Attest:            




_________________________________
     Secretary of the Commonwealth

Governor McAuliffe Statement on Supreme Court’s Gay Marriage Decision

Kissing girls.
Kissing girls. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What Happens At The Beginning Of The Fall Of Every Great Civilization:


Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of a writ of certiorari in the case that overturned Virginia’s ban on gay marriages:

“This is a historic and long overdue moment for our Commonwealth and our country. On issues ranging from recognizing same-sex marriages to extending health care benefits to same-sex spouses of state employees, Virginia is already well-prepared to implement this historic decision. Going forward we will act quickly to continue to bring all of our policies and practices into compliance so that we can give marriages between same-sex partners the full faith and credit they deserve.”

“I applaud all of the Virginians who gave so much time and effort in the fight for equality, and congratulate my friend Attorney General Mark Herring on this important victory for justice and equal treatment under the law.

Equality for all men and women regardless of their race, color, creed or sexual orientation is intrinsic to the values that make us Virginians, and now it is officially inscribed in our laws as well.”

{A complete violation of the Virginia Constitution.  Thanks for nothing to Governor McAuliffe and Mark (Red) Herring.}

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Virginia Governor and Attorney General Thumb Nose At State Constitution

3 girls kissing.
3 girls kissing. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5129
Offered June 19, 2014
Directing the Speaker of the House of Delegates to appoint counsel in the court in whichBostic v. Rainey is pending to permit the General Assembly to intervene and defend vigorously the constitutionality of Article I, Section 15-A in such court and in all other proceedings in any other court.


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Patron-- Marshall, R.G.
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Committee Referral Pending
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WHEREAS, the plaintiffs in Bostic v. Rainey (Bostic),  now pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, attack the constitutionality of Article I, Section 15-A of the Constitution of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, engagement of special counsel in Bostic is necessary because Mark R. Herring, the Attorney General of Virginia, without legal  authority and without precedent, not only ceased defending the validity of Article I, Section 15-A but joined the plaintiffs in convincing the trial judge to hold that Article I, Section 15-A was unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, engagement of special counsel in Bostic is also necessary because the Governor of Virginia, violating his constitutional obligation under Article V, § 7 of the Constitution of Virginia to ensure that the laws of the Commonwealth be faithfully executed,  has refused to exercise the authority granted to him by § 2.2-510 of the Code of Virginia to employ special counsel to defend the constitutionality of Article I, Section 15-A of the Constitution of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the case of INS v. Chada, 462 U.S. 919 (1983), involved a situation analogous to that involved in Bostic in which the United States House of Representatives and Senate successfully intervened, and the United States Supreme Court stated that Congress is the proper party to defend the validity of a statute when an agency of government, as a defendant charged with enforcing the statute, agrees with plaintiffs that the statute is inapplicable or unconstitutional; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Speaker of the House of Delegates engage special legal counsel to move the court in which Bostic v. Raineyis pending to permit the General Assembly to intervene and defend vigorously the constitutionality of Article I, Section 15-A in such court and in all other proceedings in any other court.

(The Governor and the Attorney General both took oaths of office and in that oath, swore to uphold the Constitution of Virginia.  Neither one of them is willing to do so and if they are not willing to do so here, what other areas are they going to destroy?  What laws are they willing to break to get their way?  Why are Virginians allowing this?  In a democratic republic, the people decide.  That decision was already made by the people.  Now these two clowns are doing everything they can to destroy the state Constitution.  They both need to be thrown out of office once and for all.  They are no friends to "WE THE PEOPLE", but instead they are political terrorists!)

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Statement on Bostic v. Rainey Ruling

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement on the federal district court’s decision striking down Virginia’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples:

"I applaud the federal district court's decision to ensure all Virginians are treated equally under the law, no matter what their backgrounds are or whom they love. In order to grow our economy and attract the best businesses, entrepreneurs, and families to Virginia, we must be open and welcoming to all who call our Commonwealth home.  As this case continues through the judicial process, I will enforce the laws currently on the books, but this decision is a significant step forward in achieving greater equality for all of our citizens."


Link to more information on the Judge who made this ruling.  

Our Notes:  If this is what the founding fathers had intended, they would have made provisions for it.  They didn't as they did not accept this concept.  We can not even imagine how this woman can call herself a Christian.  Even our Russian and Chinese friends who read this site are highly offended by this.   This judge should be thrown out of the country.   And what does that say about our Governor?  In all fairness, we having nothing against the gay community.  We just do not consider it a right.  We view it as a special interest with special privileges which is a violation to both the State and Federal Constitutions from what we have reported here on this site.

  Next move?  The promotion and legalization of pedophilia?  It's coming.  Is this the price this woman had to pay for this position?  (What, you don't think this happens?)  The next probable move is the legalization of pot.  But hey, why stop there.  Legalize all of it.  Opium, LSD, Cocaine, Meth, the whole 9 yards.  Start opening casinos.  Legalize prostitution.  Get a bunch of abortion clinics into the state.  One on every corner and make them cheap and funded by the state.  DO WHAT THOU WILT is the order of the "LAW".    Babylon Returns, get used to it.



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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Ban on same-sex unions will stand in Virginia

Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States (Photo credit: Marty Stone)
Posted: Thursday, June 27, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 11:22 am, Thu Jun 27, 2013.
The landmark Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act does not overrule Virginia’s 2006 constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage in the state.
With a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court on Wednesday invalidated a provision of DOMA that prevented gay couples from receiving a range of federal benefits that are generally available to married people.
Same-sex couples married in one of the dozen states that recognize such unions will be eligible for such tax, health and retirement benefits, but states still will make their own decisions on who is legally married.
“This ruling is historic and an important victory for the gay-rights community, but we should keep it in perspective,” said Allison O. Larsen, an assistant professor of law at the College of William and Mary.
The court does not say that there is a constitutional right for same-sex marriage, and Justice Anthony Kennedy in his opinion reaffirmed a state’s original authority on regulating marriage.
“This is not like Roe vs. Wade, where the right to abortion is protected by the Constitution,” said A.E. Dick Howard, professor of law at the University of Virginia.
“Kennedy clearly believes that marriage is a state prerogative, and he also does not say that a state law which has the same purpose as DOMA is unconstitutional,” he said.
This means that as long as Virginia defines marriage in the traditional sense as between man and woman, there is nothing in the ruling that changes the status quo in the commonwealth, Howard said. “The court left the question of constitutionality of same-sex marriage for another day.”
But W&M Rector Jeff Trammell urged the state’s universities to use the ruling to push for partner benefits for faculty and staff. In a letter to presidents and rectors of public schools, Trammell said the lack of benefits for same-sex couples is causing Virginia universities to lose faculty members who take research grants to other states.
“We must face the reality that today’s Supreme Court rulings add a substantial incentive for our gay and lesbian faculty and staff to leave the commonwealth’s public universities and colleges,” he wrote.
Gov. Bob McDonnell said the court’s ruling doesn’t change Virginia’s established policy, ratified by the state’s voters in the 2006 referendum.
“It properly leaves decisions on this important issue to the individual states. I’m sure this public policy and cultural conversation will continue in the years ahead.”
The governor added: “While there will always be disagreement on specific policy issues, and our faith traditions will often lead us to different positions, we all can agree that every American must be treated with dignity and respect under the law.”
Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, called the ruling “a major defeat” for advocates of same-sex marriage.
But Cobb also said the court’s decision is “a mixed bag” for both sides. “We’re certainly disappointed the court struck down DOMA, but the court has allowed the decision that millions of Americans, and Virginians, have already made on the definition of marriage to stand,” she said.
Nine states and the District of Columbia have laws allowing same-sex marriage. Since the justices began deliberating two cases in March, three more states have enacted such laws.
In Windsor v. U.S., the DOMA case, New York resident Edith “Edie” Windsor challenged the federal Defense of Marriage Act, alleging that the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause as applied to same-sex couples legally married under the laws of their states.
Windsor was charged an estate tax bill much larger than other married couples because her deceased partner was a woman and the federal government did not recognize their marriage, even though their state, New York, did.
Wednesday’s ruling changed all that.
“It means that Edith Windsor qualified for the federal tax estate exemption for spouses,” Larsen said. “New York recognized her marriage, and after today, federal law must do so as well.”
Consequently, thousands of same-sex couples — married in states that sanction such unions — are now guaranteed equal protection and benefits under federal law — even if they live in Virginia, where their marriages are not recognized.
Claire G. Gastañaga, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said there are “more than 1,100 federal laws and programs where being married makes a difference — from tax laws, to eligibility for family medical leave, to Social Security survivor’s benefits, to access to health care for a spouse.”
James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia, an advocacy group for gay rights, said: “While we continue working to lift the ban on marriage here at home, we can celebrate the decision from the Supreme Court, affirming that all loving and committed couples deserve equal respect and treatment.”
Bill Harrison, president of the Richmond Gay Community Foundation, said that the rulings are “adding to the momentum” for same-sex marriage.
“I always had faith that we would reach this point because justice always prevails in America. It can take lifetimes, but finally it prevails because this is America,” Harrison said.
Larsen said even though the immediate effects of Windsor on same-sex couples in Virginia are limited, there may be long-term implications.
“There is language in the Windsor opinion that will be helpful to activists seeking marriage equality here in the future,” she said. Language that could possibly mean a broader ruling establishing marriage equality for same-sex couples “is not that far off in the future.”
Carl Tobias, professor at the School of Law at the University of Richmond, said Windsor could have considerable effect on Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban in the future.
“I believe that same-sex couples, who were married in states that recognize same sex marriage, could argue that they are entitled to the same federal benefits as married opposite-sex couples,” he said, adding that he expects Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban to be back on the ballot for repeal at some point.
Howard also believes that the Windsor ruling might one day lead to a repeal of Virginia’s constitutional amendment.


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