The Virginian-Pilot
February 5, 2005
By Bill Sizemore
RICHMOND – Brushing off passionate warnings that they are enshrining discrimination in the state constitution, lawmakers are moving toward adoption of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and civil unions.
On a 15-5 vote Friday, the House Privileges and Elections Committee approved HJ586, proposed by Del. John A. Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman. The measure also prohibits any “civil union, domestic partnership, or similar civil arrangement that purports to bestow the rights, privileges, benefits, status, or obligations of marriage.”