tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10023572.post6230643970045263311..comments2024-03-26T18:28:53.305-04:00Comments on Sean's Ramblings: Can Gay Marriage Pass in VirginiaSeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08811858639259602946noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10023572.post-29433280353388206712012-07-08T14:53:43.390-04:002012-07-08T14:53:43.390-04:00I think the only possible way same-sex marriage wo...I think the only possible way same-sex marriage would become legal in Virginia is through a court finding it unconstitutional, and even that would be difficult.<br /><br />The court rulings in Massachusetts, Iowa, et al., were all based on interpretations of the state constitutions of their respective states. The Va. Supreme Court, however, has made it clear that the state equivalents of the equal protection and due process clauses are exactly co-extensive with the federal constitution's, and in fact, uses federal jurisprudence to interpret the state constitution.<br /><br />As a practical matter, then, Va. will only have same-sex marriage when the U.S. Supreme Court recognizes same-sex couples as deserving equal protection. Given the current court's makeup, I wouldn't hold my breath that that'll happen.Dave Tepperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13753540159007559594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10023572.post-84556378904762330212011-08-08T18:34:22.090-04:002011-08-08T18:34:22.090-04:00Thanks for this very informative ( if slightly dep...Thanks for this very informative ( if slightly depressing) blog on gay marriage in Virginia. I really appreciate your efforts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com