Virginia anti-gay marriage law starts today

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gay activists rallied in major cities statewide to protest a new law that critics said could nullify legal contracts between same-sex couples.

The state law, which goes into effect Thursday, prohibits civil unions, partnership contracts or other arrangements "purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage."

Critics said it could be used to nullify medical directives, wills, joint bank accounts and other agreements between gay couples.

"(The law) clearly states that gay and lesbian people in this state should not feel welcome," said Dyana Mason, executive director of Equality Virginia, the state's largest gay rights organization. "It seeks to strip the only tool that gay and lesbian couples have to protect their families." (source)

I've never been to Virginia. But, it goes without saying that I won't be going there, ever. In fact, if I'm traveling and my plane happens to have a layover there, I will choose another route. I won't even set foot in the damn state. If they want to be that way, let them have it. And, if I lived there, I'd seriously looking into moving, because I wouldn't want to pay taxes to them.

This law isn't simply saying that we don't want gay unions, it's also saying that gay people cannot form any legal relationships what so ever. We can't enter into any contract to tie each other together, be it a "domestic partnership", a "civil union", or a "marriage". Many legal experts are also saying that the wording of the law could also prevent other social contracts as well.

When I read about things like this, it really brings home to me how easily people are scared about what they don't understand and how easily threatened they are. It doesn't give me much hope for our race. What is something really bad were to happen? We seem to need someone to blame and we always need a scapegoat. Now, that scapegoat is our community, at least in the state of Virginia.

I think there is also something to be said for doing a bit of research to find the companies who have headquarters in Virginia. Why support them? This is something

When I hear things like this, it really brings home to me that the only thing that speaks louder than the rhetoric of these kinds of bills, is MONEY! Don't support discrimination against yourself. If some company is giving you grief, boycott them, as in the case of the Foot Locker. That's the best way to fight it.

Finally, here's a thought for you if you live in Virginia. A will is a legal contract between you and another person. If you are gay, it's highly doubtful with this new law in place that the will is going to be valid. If you live in Virginia, have a will with your partner, be aware that there may be a problem with enforcing the will.