Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 18:47:50 -0500 From: Virginians For Justice Subject: VA Legislative Alert January 31, 1996 Virginians for Justice ****** Action Alert Item #1 - House Subcommittee Set to Vote on Hate Crimes Bill Item #2 - Legislative Deadline Looming for C.A.N. Bill Item #3 - Bill Opposing "Gay Marriage" Also in House -------------------------------------------- ITEM 1: HATE CRIMES BILL The same House of Delegates Courts of Justice Subcommittee that in past years has not acted on a bill to add "sexual orientation" and "gender" to Virginia's hate crimes law, is scheduled to hear testimony on House Bill 234 as early as Friday, February 2, or Sunday, February 4. Virginians for Justice lobbyists and the more than 30 people that attended VJ's Lobby Day have been lining up support, but the subcommittee and subsequent committee votes are still much too close to call. It is likely that the subcommittee will vote on the bill directly following testimony. If HB234 passes this subcommittee, it will then be voted on in the full committee, most likely next week. The House of Delegates must pass or reject all of its own bills before February 13 when the Senate and the House exchange legislation that has passed (aka crossover). With a record 19 cosponsors, HB234 is seen as having a good chance of progressing IF SUFFICIENT PRESSURE IS APPLIED. The so-called Virginia Family Hotline, a right wing constituent phoneline, has been urging its callers to call their legislators to oppose this "piece of the radical homosexual agenda", so it is imperative that we generate many calls to SUPPORT HB234. -------------------------------------------- ITEM 2: C.A.N. BILL House Bill 1468, legislation that will override a portion of Virginia's archaic Crimes Against Nature law (aka sodomy), must also be dealt with by the House of Delegates before February 13. The House Courts of Justice Committee will also hear testimony on this bill shortly, so support for HB1468 needs to be conveyed to your legislators immediately. The C.A.N. law is the very foundation of homophobic laws, policies and judicial decisions in the Commonwealth. Last year's bill was also sponsored by Delegate Karen Darner (D- Arlington), but with no cosponsors. Six other legislators have stepped forward this year as co- patrons of HB1468, so momentum is building. -------------------- ITEM 3: BILL TO PREEMPT HAWAII MARRIAGE CASE House Bill 1189, a bigoted attempt to keep from Virginia from recognizing marriages that are already illegal in Virginia, but may become legal elsewhere, is also in the House of Delegates. Virginia already outlaws same-sex marriages, so this is a redundant and bigoted bill submitted by legislators aligned with the radical right. They are attempting to preempt any effects that the Hawaii "gay marriage" case may have on interstate contract law. Your legislators need to know that you are opposed to HB1189. ***************** REQUESTED ACTIONS ***************** Call Virginia's legislative opinion line and leave a message for your Delegate and Senator in Richmond - call 1-800-889-0229 to register your opinions. If you do not know who your legislators are, the operators at the 1-800 number can tell you. The line is open from 7:00am until 7:00pm. (In Richmond, call 225-4973) SUPPORT HB234 - Hate Crimes Law Reform SUPPORT HB1468 - C.A.N. Law Reform OPPOSE HB1189 - Marriage Bill The operators are tallying the number of calls in support or opposition to each bill, and relaying a summary to all legislators. For this reason, it is imperative that we generate a large number of calls to all legislators. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FORWARD THIS MESSAGE AT WILL! ************************************************************************** Virginians for Justice advances equal justice for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and those affected by the HIV epidemic, through the state's legislative, administrative and judicial systems. Virginians for Justice PO Box 342 Richmond, VA 23218-0342 804-643-4816