Virginia State Senator Adam Ebbin, a
Democrat, says he's received GOP support for his legislation that
seeks to repeal the state's ban on gay marriage.
Voters in 2006 approved the
Marshall-Newman Amendment, which prohibits the state from recognizing
any union other than a heterosexual marriage.
Ebbin, the Senate's only openly gay
member, and Delegate Joseph Morrisey have introduced in their
respective legislative chambers complimentary bills which would
repeal the amendment.
Before it reaches the ballot box in 2016,
lawmakers must approve the resolution during two consecutive
legislative sessions.
“I've waited to introduce this bill
until we've come to the point where I think that Virginians are ready
to pass [it],” Ebbin told ARLnow.com.
“I have had discussions with Republicans and Democrats, including
with people who supported the Marshall-Newman Amendment. There are
supportive Republicans in the General Assembly.”
“We're working to win,” he added.
“If we don't win one year, we're working towards winning. It's not
tilting at windmills, it's making things happen, whether quickly or
over a multi-year effort.”
Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe, a
Democrat, has endorsed same-sex marriage, though his signature is not
needed for the question to reach voters.
A federal lawsuit challenging the
state's marriage ban was filed in federal court over the summer. Ted
Olson and David Boies, the legal team behind the legal challenge to
California's Proposition 8, joined the case in September.