RICHMOND, Va. — Wednesday, the Privileges and Elections Committee in the Virginia General Assembly heard arguments on three proposed constitutional amendments.
On Thursday, lawmakers are helping us understand better what's in them and if voters in Virginia can weigh in.
HJ 9 seeks to remove the state's now outdated ban on same-sex marriage.
It reads: “This resolution is an amendment that declares the right to marry as a vital right and requires the commonwealth to issue licenses, recognize all marriages, and treat all marriages equally under the law regardless of the sex or gender of the couple.”
Wednesday, the Virginia General Assembly’s Privileges and Elections Committee heard arguments on both sides of the issue, including from League of Women Voters member Pat Evers.
“Women’s protections were removed, sadly, with the destruction of Roe v. Wade. It’s totally possible that marriage equality will also be destroyed on a national level. So, we really need to do the right thing in Virginia and take the lead to protect all citizens,” said Evers.
Todd Gathje is Vice President of Government Relations at The Family Foundation. He said, “This bill is not just about redefining marriage, it’s about elevating gender ideology to a special class in the state constitution. So, for these reasons and to uphold the time-honored institution of one man and one woman marriage, we strongly oppose this bill.”
The committee also heard HJ 1, which seeks to codify abortion rights in Virginia’s state constitution.
People also voiced their concerns for and against the resolution.
Geri Greenspan, an ACLU of Virginia Senior Staff Attorney, said, “The ACLU of Virginia believes that every Virginian should have the right to chart their own life course, including being able to make their own decisions about whether or when to have children, or not. Nobody should fear a punishment or discrimination based on these choices or because they provided or got necessary healthcare.”
Olivia Turner, President for the Virginia Society of Human Life (SHL) says, “The SHL and all of our membership and chapters through the Commonwealth oppose HJ 1, both in the original form and this form. Number one, we don’t know what’s going on with this version and how it will impact our ability as people in Virginia to pass reasonable and protective laws in the future.”
Marcia "Cia" Price, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Thursday these hearings are just the first step in a lengthy process.
Price said, “[The hearings were for] getting it out of committee. It will now go to the House floor where we’ll hear even more input. It will then go to the Senate.”
It means the issues could end up in front of voters as early as November 2026 if they pass the Virginia legislature twice.
“It has to pass another general assembly and that’s to get it on the ballot, so the people have the ultimate decision,” said Price.
Delegate Price also told 13News Now this is the time where people in the community can make their voices heard, especially when the issues go to the House floor next for further arguments.