Protests Planned As Virginia Gay Unions Ban Goes Into Effect
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Richmond, Virginia) A law described as the most virulently anti-gay law in the US goes into effect Thursday and gay civil rights groups in the planning statewide demonstrations.

The law will prevent the state from recognizing gay marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships and block any "contract or other arrangement" same-sex couples may enter into.

An attempt by Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner to soften the impact by removing sections nullifying contracts was overridden by the legislature.

Virginia already has a so-called Affirmation of Marriage Act that was passed in 1997 denying same-sex couples the right to marry, but the sponsor of the new law, Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said it did not go far enough.