VA Senate Codifies Same-Sex Marriage In State Law

Richmond’s ABC affiliate reports:

A bill adding language in the state code legalizing same-sex marriage passed in the Virginia Senate with a bipartisan vote. The bill introduced by state Sens. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) and Jennifer Boysko (D-Loudoun) would give religious organizations and clergy members the right to refuse to perform any marriage. The 40-member chamber voted 25-12 to pass the measure, with three Republicans siding with Democrats.

Read the full article.

Republicans have a four-seat majority in the Virginia House.

Same-sex marriage became legal in Virginia in October 2014 via the Bostic ruling.

Last year the GOP-controlled Virginia House rejected removing the ban on same-sex marriage from the state constitution.

In 2003, now-state Sen. Adam Ebbin became the first openly gay person elected to the Virginia legislature.

NEW: SB 1096, my bill ensuring that Virginians have the right to marry who they love regardless of their sex, has passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote. pic.twitter.com/qBruveGBSJ

— Adam Ebbin ?? (@AdamEbbin) January 24, 2023

Virginia Senate passes bill legalizing same-sex marriage in state code with bipartisan vote https://t.co/wl9ltPEIah #Virginia

— 8News WRIC Richmond (@8NEWS) January 25, 2023