Virginia: Vote NO On Proposed Amendment Print E-mail
Opinion - Editorials
Written by TS-Si   
Thursday, 31 August 2006 20:00
Springfield, Virginia, USA. The Transsexual Symposium firmly opposes the proposed Marshall-Newman amendment to the Virginia state constitution.
 
TS-Si has an obligation to serve those transsexuals who currently face daunting obstacles to transition. Those who make it through the difficult transition process arrive with a unique perspective on the society we worked so hard to join.
 
And what do we find? Voters will go to the polls on November 7th to consider a proposed amendment to the Virginia state constitution (Marshall-Newman). It would:
 
  • encase the already discriminatory statutory restrictions on same-sex marriage into constitutional law
  • impose new restrictions on all Virginians by prohibiting sensible arrangements between people of the same sex, such as an aged parent and child, that ensure financial probity, effective medical treatment, and legal protections
  • prevent orderly constitutional processes by preempting any legislative actions that would ensure due process and equal rights before the law across the entire population of Virginia
 
The language of the proposed amendment is so broad that it could take away the rights of unmarried heterosexual couples. It would affect two people of the same sex who happen to own a home together, pool their resources for economic reasons and don’t have an type of sexual relationship. The elderly could be affected the most, particularly elderly women.
 
For transsexuals, there is no inherent connection between sexual orientation and their birth condition. In fact, scientific evidence suggests that the distribution of sexual orientation among post-operative transsexuals mirrors that of the general population.
 
In any case, the issue before us transcends sexual orientation and challenges all people, without regard to their sexual orientation.
 
TS-Si is proud to join with other members of The Commonwealth Coalition and oppose this misguided and potentially dangerous infringement on human rights, constitutional values, and good governance.
 
Now is the time to act.
 
Protect human rights in Virginia: vote NO on the proposed Marshall-Newman amendment.
 
 
The Marshall-Newman amendment to the Virginia state constitution will apppear on November 7th as Ballot Question #1 (PDF file). Read the text version here. 
 
The Transsexual Symposium, Inc. (TS-Si) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the acceptance, medical treatment, & legal protection of transsexuals as they transition into society. TS-Si does not endorse political candidates or engage in partisan political activities, but we do comment on public policy issues when appropriate.

The Commonwealth Coalition is a diverse group of individuals, businesses, and civic, community and religious organizations who have joined together to oppose the proposed amendment to the Virginia bill of rights that will be on the ballot this fall on election day, NOvember 7, 2006.
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Last Updated on Monday, 27 August 2007 12:04