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National Coming Out Day 10/11/2014 WHEREAS, Virginia is committed to being inclusive — priding itself as diverse, accepting, and supportive of all individuals, families, and communities; and WHEREAS, Virginia enjoys…

The following is an announcement from Governor Terry McAuliffe stating that Same-Sex Spouses can now adopt in Virginia: McAuliffe Administration to Local Divisions of Social Services: Same-Sex Spouses can now…

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…

The Supreme Court today denied a writ of certiorati in the case that overturned Virginia’s ban on gay marriages, making marriage equality finallylegal for all Virginians. The Democratic Party of…

Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement on the decision by a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upholding the district court’s decision in Bostic v. Rainey, which ruled Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional: “I applaud the Fourth Circuit for upholding the lower court’s decision in Bostic v. Rainey. This decision is based on sound legal reasoning consistent with a growing list of decisions by courts all over the country, beginning with the Supreme Court’s 1967 decision in Loving v. Virginia. The Loving Court unanimously struck down bans on interracial marriage stating that marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man.’ And last year, the Supreme Court in U.S. v. Windsor continued this legal reasoning when it struck down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which I opposed in Congress. Today’s decision is a critical step forward for marriage equality in the Commonwealth.”

This article is a background article about Suzanne Patrick who is seeking to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia. Patrick responded to emails with a brief statement: “In my family, equality and justice came before all else. That’s why I believe that people should be able to marry who they love without legal or social discrimination. ENDA is a good start to making sure that equality is promoted in the workplace, but the issue is far from over. In Congress, I will work to ensure that all people – regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual identity – have equal opportunities.”

Chief Justice John Roberts has agreed to allow the Supreme Court to decide whether or not a stay is justified in the Virginia same-sex marriage case. After the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request of county clerk Michèle McQuigg to place a stay on its ruling that found Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, her attorneys asked the Supreme Court to intervene.

Acknowledging the request, Chief Justice John Roberts has ordered information to be filed by Monday, August 18 at 5:00 pm. The Court could have granted the stay as requested, refused to grant the stay, or ignored the request and not responded. The Supreme Court has granted every stay request in a same-sex marriage case since its DOMA ruling last year.

This week, the Fourth Circuit confirmed that marriages in Virginia could begin next Thursday. That still holds, unless the Supreme Court rules otherwise – which is likely.