North Virginia Elected Officials Seek to Repeal Bill 751

The executive board of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, composed of elected officials representing all the jurisdictions of the Northern Virginia region, voted unanimously with one abstention to urge the Virginia State Legislature to rescind House Bill 751, the controversial bill enacted into law July 1 restricting same sex partnership contracts. The law is considered one of the most restrictive in the nation.

The request was part of the legislative package adopted by the board that also covered gun control, hate crimes and other matters. Arlington County Board member Barbara Favola proposed to seek a repeal of 751 and among those voting in favor were Fairfax County Board Chair Gerry Connolly and City of Falls Church Council member Robin Gardner.

The contested law states: "A civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage is prohibited. Any such civil union, partnership contract or other arrangement entered into by persons of the same sex in another state or jurisdiction shall be void in all respect in Virginia, and any contractual rights created thereby shall be void and unenforceable."

Gov. Mark Warner sought to amend the bill, but was overruled by the assembly by a veto-proof margin.