W. Virginia Legislature Holds Public Hearing on Possible Marriage Equality Ban

On Tuesday, a public hearing with West Virginia lawmakers was held in which a ban on marriage equality was discussed.

Groups from both sides of the issue appeared. Members of Advocates for Change and Family Policy Center said allowing voters to make this decision lets people take ownership of the Constitution.

Fairness West Virginia was there to counter the argument for a referendum on marriage equality, stating it would create a dangerous and divisive atmosphere and sends a negative message to the gay community.

The State Journal reports that they randomly approached people asking for their opinion on marriage equality.

Locally we asked residents if they wanted the state to ban marriage between same sex couples. Nearly everyone we randomly approached on the street said they didn't have a problem with it.

Some criticized the state for denying men and women equal rights.

Cookie Henderson said, "Why would you take away their right to happiness?"

Ralph Mason said he's against it. He says that marriage is sacred between a man and woman.

James Cavanaugh told wtrf.com that if two people want to say they're in love and married then it is ok with me.

Fran Kinley of Wheeling says she doesn't have a problem with it and she says people should be tolerant of one another.

West Virginia State Senator Jack Yost though tells us that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman. He says though he can't say right now how he would vote if a ban of same sex marriage would come across his desk. He said he would have to see the bill and how it is worded.

The Legislature is taking time during the interim session to take a closer look at the possibility of amending the Constitution with a definition of marriage. If they vote in favor of that, voters across the state would make the final decision.

The state's Constitution has only been amended a handful of times.

West Virginia to Review Marriage Equality Ban

The WVGazette.com is reporting that West Virginia state lawmakers are planning a public hearing to discuss whether or not the state should amend its constitution to limit marriage between a man and a woman.

Why even consider passing an amendment when the state already has its own Defense of Marriage Act banning marriage equality? Because opponents, such as Family Policy Center and Alliance Defense Fund claim that the law could be thrown out if challenged, and they point to Iowa as an example. If there's an amendment, like Prop 8, then any court challenge to the ban has very little chance.

"We're thankful that the Legislature is setting aside time to carefully study this issue," said Family Policy Council President Jeremiah Dys whose organization plans on appearing at the hearing as a proponent to an amendment. "To my knowledge, this is the first time the West Virginia Legislature has ever officially discussed the Marriage Protection Amendment."

Dys and a representative of the Alliance Defense Fund -- a conservative organization that says it seeks to "aggressively defend religious liberty" -- will speak in favor of the amendment.

Fairness West Virginia board President Stephen Skinner and a representative of the ACLU of West Virginia will speak against a constitutional amendment.

"I think it's important to get out there and have some of these conversations in a public way," Skinner said. "Lesbian and gay people are not threatening quote-unquote traditional marriage."

"We shouldn't be wasting our money trying to ban something in West Virginia that's already banned under statute," Skinner said.

In March, Republicans in the House of Delegates tried to force a floor vote on a bipartisan resolution calling for a statewide referendum to define marriage. Democrats blocked their attempts.

Legislators later voted to have an interim committee study the amendment issue. Now a meeting has been set for 11 a.m. July 14 in the Senate Judiciary Committee room.

ACTION: If you live in West Virginia, go to the public hearing and tell them you do not support a marriage equality ban.

DATE: July 14
TIME: 11am
WHERE: Senate Judiciary Committee room (Location: 208 West)
State Capitol Complex
Charleston, WV 25305

CONTACT the judiciary committee and tell them not to support the amendment!

West Virginia Anti-Gay Measure Dies

Despite a telemarketing campaign by the conservative Family Policy Council against two West Virginian lawmakers earlier this month, a bid to advance an amendment to West Virginia’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage has failed.

The two lawmakers, Delegates Carrie Webster and Barbara Fleischauer, were accused by the conservative group of blocking a vote on the measure. Calling the campaign "intimidiation", Webster and Fleischauer head house subcommittees that the bill needed to clear to go to a floor vote.

Monday, Republican delegates attempted to drive the bill directly to the floor for a vote. The bid failed 67-30 along party lines.

Amending the West Virginia constitution requires approval of the legislature and a vote by the electorate, and though West Virginia has a marriage law banning same-sex marriage, supporters for an amendment say the law could be challenged in court.