W. Virginia to Ban Gay Marriages

The West Virginia Legislature voted Saturday to ban homosexual marriages and prohibit the state from recognizing such marriages performed in other states.

On the last day of the 60-day legislative session, the House approved the measure, 96-to-3, and sent it to the governor for his signature. The Senate previously passed it unanimously. Gov. Cecil Underwood introduced the ban, so his agreement is expected.

Underwood was not immediately available for comment. But his spokesman, Dan Page, said the bill is “an opportunity for the legislative and executive branches to develop a law rather than have the judiciary develop the law. In some other states the courts have addressed the issue.”

The bill would allow marriage licenses to be issued only to couples consisting of a man and a woman.

It would insert onto marriage license applications the phrase, “Marriage is designed to be a loving and lifelong union between a woman and a man.”

Chuck Smith, co-chairman of the West Virginia Lesbian and Gay Coalition, said: “I think this is a really sad day. The main purpose of the bill is to say, once again, that people who are gay and lesbian are second-class citizens.”

On Tuesday, Californians approved a ballot measure that prohibits the state from recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed in any other state.

Thirty states and the federal government passed laws denying recognition of same-sex marriages.