State of Virginia secondary Archives: on Civil Rights


Bob McDonnell: Authored amendment protecting traditional marriage

Bob McDonnell believes marriage is the union between one man and one woman. As a legislator, Bob McDonnell was author of a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage (Chief Patron, HJ 187, 2004). As Attorney General, Bob supported Virginia's marriage amendment and wrote an official opinion explaining that it would not affect the current legal rights of unmarried persons.

In the House of Delegates, Bob McDonnell was twice named "Legislator of the Year" by the Virginia Family Foun

Source: 2009 VA Gubernatorial campaign site, bobmcdonnell.com Jul 21, 2009

Harris Miller: Supports civil unions; opposes constitutional ban

Q: Virginia's ban on gay marriage--are you going to vote for it?

WEBB: No, I'm not. It is a bad amendment. The second paragraph is extremely vague.

Q: Are you for gay marriage?

WEBB: I am for civil unions and I'm opposed to the amendment.

Q: Are you for civil unions?

MILLER: I support civil unions and I also oppose the amendment. This is the first time Virginia's have ever considered an amendment which would limit the rights of individuals. It is a bad idea and I oppose it.

Source: VA 2006 Democratic Senate Primary debate [X-ref Webb] Jun 9, 2006

Jim Gilmore: No quotas, but create opportunities for minorities

Q: Do you support affirmative action programs? Do you support any changes in those programs?

Gilmore: I do not support quotas, but all during my career I have worked to create opportunities for minorities.

Warner: I'd like to see an America where there's not a need for affirmative action, but for now, we need to make sure there is a level playing field for everyone to participate. I come from the business world, and I think most business people will tell you that they want to recruit employees who were educated in an environment where they were exposed to diverse people and ideas. As I have said many times in the past, I continue to be opposed to the use of quotas.

Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Virginian-Pilot Oct 17, 2008

Jim Gilmore: Keep "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for gays in the military

Q: What is your personal view on gays in the military? Do you support any changes in current policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which allows gays to serve as long as they don't make known their sexual preference?

Gilmore: I do not support any changes in the current policy.

Warner: I will seek the advice of our military leaders as they begin a review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. We also need to have appropriate recruitment and retention polices that will keep our military strong.

Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Virginian-Pilot Oct 17, 2008

Lee Carter: Enshrine LGBTQ equality in Virginia's Code and Constitution

Lee is proud to have helped Virginia lead the nation in LGBTQ equality by passing laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, public accommodation, and contracting, banning conversion therapy, banning the "gay panic" defense, allowing gender-neutral drivers' licenses, and banning child placement discrimination. Lee will continue to fight to enshrine LGBTQ equality in Virginia's Code and Constitution.
Source: 2021 VA Governor campaign website CarterForVirginia.com Aug 5, 2021

Mark Warner: We still need affirmative action, for now

Q: Do you support affirmative action programs? Do you support any changes in those programs?

Gilmore: I do not support quotas, but all during my career I have worked to create opportunities for minorities.

Warner: I'd like to see an America where there's not a need for affirmative action, but for now, we need to make sure there is a level playing field for everyone to participate. I come from the business world, and I think most business people will tell you that they want to recruit employees who were educated in an environment where they were exposed to diverse people and ideas. As I have said many times in the past, I continue to be opposed to the use of quotas.

Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Virginian-Pilot Oct 17, 2008

Mark Warner: Let military leaders advise about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Q: What is your personal view on gays in the military? Do you support any changes in current policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", which allows gays to serve as long as they don't make known their sexual preference?

Warner: I will seek the advice of our military leaders as they begin a review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. We also need to have appropriate recruitment and retention polices that will keep our military strong.

Gilmore: I do not support any changes in the current policy.

Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Virginian-Pilot Oct 17, 2008

Ralph Northam: Treat same-sex couples equally and fairly under the law

I cherish my marriage and my family over all else and I cannot imagine the government taking that right away from me. There is no excuse to discriminate against Virginians based on whom they love or to stigmatize the children of same-sex couples as unequal because their parents cannot marry.

I recently met with a constituent who broke down in tears because his gay son's love would be treated as second-class. This inequality and callousness must end. That is why I will continue to fight to ensure that all Virginians will be treated equally and fairly under the law.

The Supreme Court made the right decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). I believe that it unfairly discriminated against millions of Americans and the court was correct to rule it unconstitutional. As your Lt. Governor I will put a stop to the divisive agenda that has derailed Virginia from moving forward.

Source: 2016-17 VA gubernatorial campaign website NorthamForLG.com Nov 1, 2013

  • The above quotations are from Commonwealth of Virginia Politicians: secondary Archives.
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