House resolution passes General Assembly with bipartisan support; Senate version heads to House for final committee & floor votes
RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 3 (Sickles), a constitutional amendment to protect marriage equality, with bipartisan support in both chambers. Senate Joint Resolution 3 (Ebbin), which also passed the Senate with bipartisan support, will head to the House next week for final votes. With the passage of HJ3, today’s vote sends the amendment to the November ballot, where Virginians will have the final say on enshrining marriage equality in the state constitution.
The amendment would repeal the Marshall-Newman Amendment, a ban on same-sex marriage passed in 2006 with 57% of the vote, and replace it with an affirmative right to marriage. If approved, this would ensure that marriages in Virginia would be recognized regardless if the Supreme Court of the United States overturns Obergefell v. Hodges, which made marriage equality the law of the land in 2015.
“Twenty years after Virginia put a ban on same-sex marriage in our constitution, we finally have the opportunity to write a new chapter that reflects the promise of our Commonwealth. Today’s vote is the result of years of advocacy, organizing, and storytelling from LGBTQ+ Virginians and our allies,” said Narissa Rahaman, Executive Director at Equality Virginia. “Today, Virginia lawmakers took a decisive step toward ensuring that no court or future legislature can erase the dignity and security of LGBTQ+ couples and families. Now, the power moves directly to the people. Virginians will have the chance to secure the freedom to marry in our Commonwealth’s highest governing document. Equality Virginia deeply thanks and honors Senator Adam Ebbin and Delegate Mark Sickles who are both leaving the General Assembly for new roles in the administration. For years – through setbacks, challenges, and moments when this goal felt just out of reach—they carried this amendment with steady resolve. They believed in it when it seemed impossible. They returned to it despite the challenges. And because they never stopped fighting for the dignity of our community, we are finally here—ready to finish the work they, and others, began and to finally get it done.”
This amendment’s passage comes at a pivotal moment, as national threats to LGBTQ+ rights continue to grow. By advancing the measure to the ballot within the first week of session, the Virginia General Assembly has taken a critical step toward safeguarding families, relationships, and legal protections for generations to come.
STATEMENTS
Adam Ebbin, Virginia State Senator, Chief Patron of SJ3
“It’s time for the Virginia constitution to accurately reflect the law of the land. Full stop. 20 years ago, the Virginia Bill of Rights was unnecessarily stained in an overreaction. It’s past time to fix that and see that loving Virginia couples are not mistreated or discriminated against. I am confident that the voters will ratify this marriage equality amendment in November.”
Mark Sickles, Virginia House of Delegates, Chief Patron of HJ3
“It’s about time Virginia gets this done. All Virginia couples deserve the freedom to marry without fear that their rights could be rolled back. By advancing this amendment, we’re ensuring that the freedom to marry is protected by the people. It’s up to the voters now and I’m confident they’ll do the right thing in November.