Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a
Democrat, on Wednesday predicted that the Supreme Court would strike
down gay marriage bans.
Speaking at a Human Rights Campaign
(HRC) fundraiser in the District of Columbia, McAuliffe sounded
confident that gay and lesbian couples will soon be able to legally
marry in Virginia.
“I want you all to know that in the
commonwealth of Virginia we are going to have marriage equality,”
McAuliffe told the crowd. “As governor, I am going to preside over
marriage equality and I promise you that.”
“With the Supreme Court, we are going
to make this done for you,” he added.
The Supreme Court has agreed to
consider petitions for review in cases challenging bans in Utah,
Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin. Justices will consider
the petitions at a closed-door meeting next week and are under no
obligation to hear any of the cases and could decide to delay their
decision.
HRC President Chad Griffin is quoted by
the Washington
Blade describing McAuliffe as “a bold ally” and “a
great champion of equality.”