I think there's momentum against the hate amendment------
Black lawmakers offer opposition to gay marriage amendment
By DIONNE WALKER
Associated Press Writer
October 18, 2006
RICHMOND, Va. -- Five state lawmakers from Richmond--all but one of them black--voiced opposition Wednesday to a proposed constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage in Virginia.Black community leaders and lawmakers had been largely quiet on the hot-button issue, which will be on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
Legislators at Wednesday's news conference cited religious and political reasons for opposing the amendment, which they said could trigger litigation from same-sex couples.
"It's a lawyer's paradise," Sen. Henry Marsh said.
Marsh was joined by House Minority Leader Franklin Hall, the only white lawmaker at the event; Del. Dwight Jones, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus; Del. Jennifer McClellan; and Sen. Benjamin Lambert III. All are Democrats.
Marsh, an attorney, likened amending the constitution to creating a group of second-class citizens--much like anti-black laws of the past did.
"Persons would be suing because of certain rights," said Marsh, who argued the change could eventually put Virginia's constitution at odds with federal law.
Hall pointed to existing state laws that already restrict marriage to one man and one woman. The amendment would underscore those laws.
"It's been the law and there's no evidence that it's not working," he said. "It's not necessary."
But many of the lawmakers cited religious beliefs, a powerful theme that's defined much of the debate over gay marriage.
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Black voters have historically been influenced more by the pulpit than activists. In this case, many black pastors have favored the amendment.Jones, the black caucus leader, was one of them. Jones is pastor of a majority black church, and he originally supported adding the amendment to the ballot.
Now he says ministerial rules already restrict pastors from marrying gays, making a constitutional amendment pointless.
"It is unneeded," said Jones, who is planning a forum to discuss the amendment at his church.
McClellan's opposition was more personal. She felt the debate had been unfairly shifted to questions of whether homosexuality was a sin.
"My faith tells me judge not lest ye be judged," she said. "It's up to God to punish sins--not the General Assembly."