In Your State: Virginia

Statewide Relationship Recognition

no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions
no Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: none.
  • 1997 Anti-marriage bill adopted. House Bill 1589 — Introduced in House of Delegates by Johnson. Adds to prohibition on marriages by same-sex couples language declaring such lawful marriages to be void, and all contractual rights created by such lawful marriages to be void and unenforceable. Passed by House. Senate Bill 884 — Similar bill passed by Senate. Signed into law by Gov. Allen (R). See Virgina Code Annotated, §§ 20-45.2 and 20-45.3.

Statewide Employment Protections

no Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
no Private employment protections based on gender identity.
no Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
- Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

See Va. Code Ann. § 2.2-3901 (2002) and Va. Code Ann. § 36-96.3 (2002).

Statewide Parenting Laws

Who May Adopt Any natural person. Va. Code. § 63.1-219.9
Second Parent Adoptions Not yet permitted.
Notes Generally hostile environment.  State signed off on adoption of foster child in DC by Virginia lesbian living with partner in Kaufman v. Va. Dep’t of Social Services.

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