Virginia governor gives voters a chance to erase their state's anti-marriage amendmenthttps://www.lgbtqnation.com/2026/02/virginia-governor-gives-voters-a-chance-to-erase-their-states-anti-marriage-amendment/ 🔗Alex Bollinger (9 Feb 2026)
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation that sent several potential state constitutional amendments to voters this past Friday, including a measure that would remove the state's ban on same-sex marriage from the state constitution, which was originally passed in 2006.
While the state's ban on marriage equality has not been enforced since the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision, which legalized marriage equality in all 50 states, advocates for its removal say that it is discriminatory and could be enforced if Obergefell were ever overturned.
"We want to make sure that Virginia families know that here in Virginia, it is not just a Supreme Court decision that protects them, but it is also our state constitution," Spanberger said in comments during the signing ceremony. "It'll be a big step for Virginia to ensure that every family knows that Virginia is a place that welcomes them, appreciates them, and sees them for the wonderful family and Virginians that they are."
"So before I get too emotional on that one, I will start signing."
LGBTQ+ advocates hailed the marriage ballot initiative measure.
