McAuliffe orders agencies to comply with same-sex marriage

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McAuliffe orders agencies to comply with same-sex marriage

Virginia News
Same-sex Marriage in Virginia

Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 1:06 pm
By JIM NOLAN Richmond Times-Dispatch

Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Tuesday signed an executive order directing state agencies to comply with legalized same-sex marriage in Virginia. ... And the office of Attorney General Mark R. Herring said the U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed gay marriage in Virginia provides a legal path for married same-sex couples to adopt a child — something that was not allowed under a state law requiring couples wishing to adopt to be part of a legal marriage defined as a union being between a man and a woman.

“Pursuant to the authority vested in me as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth, and pursuant to Article V of the Constitution and the laws of Virginia, I hereby order, effective immediately, that all entities in the executive branch, including agencies, authorities, commissions, departments, and all institutions of higher education further evaluate all policies and take all necessary and appropriate legal measures to comply with this decision,” reads McAuliffe’s Executive Order 30.

The order, which followed Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision not to review appeals court rulings striking down prohibitions on gay unions in the commonwealth and four other states, paves the way for Virginia to provide an array of additional benefits to the spouses of legally married gay state employees, ranging from health coverage to death benefits, medical decisions and hospital and correctional center visitation rights.

On a broader scale, and in conjunction with the order, the Virginia Department of Taxation released a bulletin Tuesday stating that same-sex marriages that are recognized for federal income tax purposes will now be recognized for Virginia income tax purposes. ... Herring spokesman Michael Kelly said that since same-sex couples can now be legally married, they fit the definition of an appropriate home under which a child may be placed for adoption under the Code of Virginia.
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McAuliffe orders state agencies to comply with legalization of same-sex marriage

Virginia Politics
By Jenna Portnoy October 7 at 2:14 PM 

RICHMOND — Gov. Terry McAuliffe ordered state agencies Tuesday to change their policies to accommodate same-sex couples, who can legally marry in Virginia after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Monday to let stand lower courts’ rulings on the issue.
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Conservative organizations opposed to the legalization of same-sex marriage say they will redouble efforts to keep the Supreme Court’s decision from having a ripple effect on other areas. Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, said as much in an e-mail to supporters Monday.

“[We] will work with the General Assembly to ensure that, while same-sex marriage is legal in Virginia, the rights and freedoms of those who disagree with the redefinition of marriage are treated equally and are not discriminated against in their religious practice, education, business or employment,” she wrote.

James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia, said gay rights advocates are bracing for a potential onslaught of bills from the right. ... “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were various bills introduced before the next session attacking the very principle of non-discrimination,” he said. ... Some laws are already in place in Virginia. For example, former governor Robert F. McDonnell signed a law that allows state-funded, faith-based adoption agencies to turn away parents based on sexual orientation.

Jenna Portnoy covers Virginia politics for The Washington Post.