State Information
Government Website:
http://legis.state.va.us/
|
Outline of State Law
|
|
| Current Status of Law Concerning Marriage and Date of Passage |
1997 - State Law Passed 2005 - Law Amended (HB 751) |
2006 - Constitutional Amendment |
| State Law Prohibits/Voids Same Sex/Same Gender Marriage |
yes |
yes |
| State Law Defines Marriage between a Man and a Woman |
no |
yes |
| State Law Denies Recognition of Same-Sex Marriages Solemnized in Other States |
yes |
yes |
| State Law States that Same Sex Marriage is not Aligned with State Public Policy |
no |
no |
| State Law Defines "Spouse" as Referring Only to a Person of the Opposite Sex Who is Married as Husband or Wife |
no |
no |
Statutory Provision
Virginia Code § 20-45.2. Marriage between persons of same sex. A marriage between persons of the same sex is prohibited. Any marriage 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 by such marriage shall be void and unenforceable.
§ 20-45.3. Civil unions between persons of same sex.
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.
Constitutional Provision
Article I. Section 15-A. Marriage.
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.
|
U.S. Senators
|
|
George Allen, Republican
http://allen.senate.gov/
This senator was elected in 2000, therefore not present for the federal DOMA in 1996. The senator voted for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
John Warner, Republican
http://warner.senate.gov/
This senator voted for the federal DOMA in 1996 and for the Marriage Protection Amendment in 2004 and 2006.
State Public Policy Organizations Working on Marriage Issues
The Family Foundation of Virginia
va4marriage.org
Click here to return to the Marriage in the 50 States main page.
Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feeds