I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

I am writing in opposition to HJ3. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in Virginia’s Constitution, this amendment embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot ‘discriminate’ based on ‘gender,’ courts will use this language to require women’s spaces to admit biological men, girls’ sports to include biological males, and any policy recognizing biological sex will be challenged as unconstitutional. Additionally, God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Virginia voters approved this definition 57% to 43% in 2006. Vote NO on HJ3.

I am writing in strong opposition to HJ1. Virginia currently requires three physicians’ approval for third-trimester abortions on fully-formed, viable babies, with health risks required to be ‘substantially and irremediably’ harmful. HJ1 reduces this to ONE physician’s opinion and removes the ‘substantially and irremediably’ standard entirely, replacing it with vague ‘mental health’ justification. This means fully viable babies can be aborted based on anxiety, stress, or depression, with no meaningful oversight. As a Christian who believes every human being is created in God’s image from conception (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-14), I cannot support enshrining the murder of innocent children in our constitution. Vote NO on HJ1. I am writing in opposition to HJ3. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in Virginia’s Constitution, this amendment embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot ‘discriminate’ based on ‘gender,’ courts will use this language to require women’s spaces to admit biological men, girls’ sports to include biological males, and any policy recognizing biological sex will be challenged as unconstitutional. Additionally, God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Virginia voters approved this definition 57% to 43% in 2006. Vote NO on HJ3.

In opposition to these bill that redefine Almighty God's.. Divine Created Order. Lord of heaven and earth..we oppose this ..opposition to You .. we stand for Your design. .. please intervene. We also oppose all legislation that "enshrine abortion" into our State constitution and does not value life.

I am writing in opposition to HJ3. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in Virginia’s Constitution, this amendment embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot ‘discriminate’ based on ‘gender,’ courts will use this language to require women’s spaces to admit biological men, girls’ sports to include biological males, and any policy recognizing biological sex will be challenged as unconstitutional. Additionally, God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Virginia voters approved this definition 57% to 43% in 2006. Vote NO on HJ3.

I am writing in opposition to HJ3. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in Virginia’s Constitution, this amendment embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot ‘discriminate’ based on ‘gender,’ courts will use this language to require women’s spaces to admit biological men, girls’ sports to include biological males, and any policy recognizing biological sex will be challenged as unconstitutional. Additionally, God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Virginia voters approved this definition 57% to 43% in 2006. Vote NO on HJ3.

I am writing in opposition to HJ3. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in Virginia’s Constitution, this amendment embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot ‘discriminate’ based on ‘gender,’ courts will use this language to require women’s spaces to admit biological men, girls’ sports to include biological males, and any policy recognizing biological sex will be challenged as unconstitutional. Additionally, God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6. Virginia voters approved this definition 57% to 43% in 2006. Vote NO on HJ3.

“I am writing in opposition to HJ3. I am strongly opposed to changing our laws to include the word gender. Marriage is not a human invention to be redefined by popular opinion. God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, and Jesus Himself affirmed this design in Matthew 19:4-6. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in the Constitution, HJ3 embeds gender ideology into Virginia’s highest legal document, creating a framework where biological reality can be denied throughout Virginia law. This opens the door to men accessing women’s spaces, males competing in women’s sports, and legal challenges to any sex-based distinction. The 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment, approved by 57% of Virginia voters, should remain as a statement of principle affirming what God designed from the beginning. Vote NO on HJ3. Stand for God’s design of marriage.” Realize that this is an affront to God's Devine plan as He expressed more than once in His WORD.

I am writing in opposition to HJ3. Marriage is not a human invention to be redefined by popular opinion. God established marriage in Genesis 2:24 as the covenant union of one man and one woman, and Jesus Himself affirmed this design in Matthew 19:4-6. By separating ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ in the Constitution, HJ3 embeds gender ideology into Virginia’s highest legal document, creating a framework where biological reality can be denied throughout Virginia law. This opens the door to men accessing women’s spaces, males competing in women’s sports, and legal challenges to any sex-based distinction. The 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment, approved by 57% of Virginia voters, should remain as a statement of principle affirming what God designed from the beginning. Vote NO on HJ3. Stand for God’s design of marriage.”

HJ1, HJ3 These Proposed Amendments to the State Constitution neither reflect the values nor the will of the people of Virginia. Please vote against them. The intent of such amendments is not to the betterment of the Commonwealth. In fact, by reducing population by allowing babies to die gasping for breath and allowing same sex marriages is reducing growth of families. This is not protection, but desicreation of life. This will mean a smaller population for all next generations, resulting in fewer and fewer people, fewer tax payors as well. These amendments are not beneficial to life for our state, Thank you!

Abortion and Homosexual marriages: two things that are profoundly wrong when we look at it through the lens of a Biblical worldview. I believe the end goal of both of these issues should be profoundly abolished and taken away from our human society since, whether we refuse to believe it or not, both of these issues cause problems later on in life. According to the First Concern Pregnancy Resource Center and the 1995-2009 British Journal of Psychiatry from Cambridge University, after getting an abortion, women experience an 81% increase in mental health problems and 90% of men consider this to also be the most stressful day of their lives. Not to mention, there was also an increase of risk in alcohol misuse, anxiety, depression, marijuana use, and suicide (Coleman, 2011). There’s no better way to cause murder and depopulation than this, and as murder is operationally defined as, from Oxford languages, “the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another”, we’re essentially and openly taking a life. This applies to all stages of development, and we should be concerned about each one. Abortion is no different than openly taking the life of an innocent adult, unless we’re so twisted to believe that is correct as well. Here’s what I will say: in regards to the Bible, which is 100% true, taking the life of a person directly goes against the command of God (Exodus 20:13) who not only told us to love others (John 13:34-35) but to also be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). Notice how also, in the beginning, God states that He created male and female, not male and male (Genesis 1:27). On a side note, yes, there are only two genders in this world, and in Genesis 2:24 this verse explains the significance of marriage in accordance to Him. God did not state that a man should leave His father and mother to be joined in flesh to another guy, saying that the two shall become one but it’s the man and wife that become one flesh. Anything other than this kind of marriage is perverted, wrong, and invokes the wrath of God. If we truly want to live and thrive in His Creation and make this world a better place, we need to cut it off. With all of this in mind, we should also know that abortion will eventually lead our nation downhill, creating more unemployment as the population goes down and more companies that will shut down due to this employment. Eventually, all of us will die since our supply chain of what we need is cutter off entirely. America, do we really think it’s a right and correct move to allow these things to take precedence in our nation? If so, I’m ashamed of this country that I lived in for 20 years of my life. Take action and choose life!

There should not be any restrictions on military to exercise their right to vote as they are the ones who defend our rights. There is a fundamental right to life. See TCCAA cover story May-June 2022 regarding murder charge in case of death of 5 week old fetus, and 1970 Keeler vs Superior Court. The law never meant for marriage to be for same sex. It had always been meant for opposite sex.

Has no one learned a thing from 2025 elections? If abortion was murder why is it popular in not only blue and swing states but also Missouri and Montana? And if you’re anti-murder why aren’t you calling out Jonathan Ross? The video proves Trump completely wrong! And regarding marriage, if you don’t like same gender relationships, don’t get in one! It’s that simple! And for redistricting, look, I didn’t want us to have to do this. But it’s the only way to counter Texas and potentially Florida and Indiana and their attempts to make dictators invincible. It HAS to be passed. Or America dies. Assuming it didn’t already.

Dear Chairman and Members of the House Committee, I strongly urge you to vote no to allowing the following four Virginia constitutional amendments to be voted on in a referendum: HJ1, HJ2, HJ3, and HJ4. HJ1 overrides current and future Virginia statues. Because it applies to every individual, it undermines parental rights which endangers minors. It opens the door to guaranteeing minors the right to sexual experimentation, again undermining parental rights. It also implies that parental consent can be nullified as discriminatory if in conflict with supposed reproductive freedom of minors. Parental rights are a God-given U.S. Constitutional Right in the Fourteenth Amentment and upheld by the Supreme Court. HJ1 takes away the state's ability to limit abortions up until birth, punishes medical staff who have conscientious or religious objections to abortion, and puts women's health at risk by adopting abortion industry standards. HJ1 destroys unborn babies rights. They, like all of us, have a God-given right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as the Declaration of Independence states. HJ2 allows unrepentant felons to vote. It puts the integrity of our elections at risk by allowing irresponsible people to vote who by their actions gave up their right to vote. HJ3 removes the true Biblical foundational meaning of marriage between one man and one woman as defined by God which when rejected endangers the building blocks of stable communities. The new definition between any two adults could easily be changed to minors and multiple adults in the future because it is not based on truth. HJ3 does not allow for conscientious or religious objections by clergy, religious organizations, businesses, or others. It forces gender ideology on everyone regardless of biological reality and danger to women in sports and day to day life. HJ4 would effectively destroy the two-party system in Virginia almost entirely ensuring that the party in power would stay in power indefinitely. It gives lawmakers from one party the power to choose their voters which undermines fair elections. These four amendments collectively spell disaster to the way of life our founders desired to preserve in the Virginia Constitution as a Godly heritage for us and all future generations. They steal rights and freedom guaranteed to us as U.S. and Virginia citizens. Hold to fast to the values that made Virginia and America great. Vote against these amendments!

I am totally against the Marriage amendment. It is unbiblical and destructive to society. Anyone who has ever read any history should know that when you remove the moral fiber of a nation based on the Bible it always collapses. Marriage is not about personal happiness, but about love and commitment. "Love your wife as Christ loves the church and gave himself for it." It mentions gender as different than sex which opens the door to all the foolishness we have been experiencing that is trying to deny biological reality. I threatens pastors who cannot consent to perform marriages that are against their religious beliefs.

I believe everyone deserves the right to their own reproductive freedoms. No country or state should have the right to dictate decisions a woman makes about her own body or life. As someone in a same sex marriage protection by my state is more important than every before since the supreme court recently brought up for review Obergefell v Hodges. Even though they decided not to overturn it, it could still come for review again. Protection not only for those in the marriage but children of same sex parents is important to protect

1) Let women control their own bodies however they need to and stay out of it. 2) I support same sex marriage for legal reasons. Benefits of being married include finically and medically.

Vote to protect human rights and equality for all in our democracy. Yes, on HJ3

The comments I am about to make reflect how reenergized I am about constitutional rights after a recent visit to Montpelier. VA is poised in a special way given our history during the formation of the country to be even more at home with the Federalist Papers, the Bill of Rights, Constitution,and the Declaration of Independence, with so much written here. I truly believe that Virginia can help lead our whole nation to heal divides and ensure the individual freedoms we have been lucky to have(or gain). 1. Please support HJ1. Laws that disproportionately remove the agency of women but not men, reflect the idea of people not being created equal, but that women are created less than and need the government to make their decision decisions for them. Separation of church and state is critical to a free nation that will stay free. Especially during times of economic hardship and limited access to healthcare and health insurance for so many Americans, and with a massive amount of chronic illness often disabling, the lives of our families in Virginia are very complicated now. The only way to safeguard the freedom of women as a president is to full-throatedly support they're absolute autonomy through every step of the way . On a personal note, I have a cousin who required 4 transfusions after an ectopic pregnancy gone wrong and she very nearly died at an age way too young. She was an OR nurse who helped save the lives of countless people. Much of the legislation being drafted does not even consider children left behind if anything happens to their mom in the case of horrible medical problems. Mothers have died in states that failed to protect their medical rights. it is terrifying to see women and drs hamstrung and or persecuted during the hardest times of their lives.. . HJ3. Please vote in favor of HJ3. Again, we are at a critical juncture with protecting the life, liberty, and happiness of so many Virginians. There is no one who is forced to have a same-sex marriage if they do not wish to be in one. Freedom of religion is critical to a healthy democracy. Standing up for the freedom of people, whether or not you agree with their choices, to marry another consenting adult should not be a partisan issue. It reflects the most basic freedom one could have. On a personal level, I am in a marriage that would be protected, a marriage that my entire conservative family came out to celebrate with me. It has never caused harm to anyone, and was one of the most joyful things that happened with our family in years. I have a wife who will support my decisions to help take care of my aging parents and is very much loved by everyone. This legislation is highly politicized and does not reflect even most conservative views and is very partisan in nature. If you get out and talk to people who are not extremists. Virginia is a purple state and this reflects are purple views. HJ4. Please vote yes. I hope the future will bring bipartisan reform to stop redistricting that disenfranchises constituents. This seems like a way to balance the scale back , but more and more it seems like the popular vote may be something to consider. We are people not pawns and this is a short term fix that I hope you will vote yes to. Thank you for your consideration. Please vote yes to all.

Oppose all 4 amendments. The General Assembly scheme to shove these amendments through and rush them to the ballot in a Special Election in April reveals how little the Democrat majority actually want to do what is right for Virginia. Every Virginian should take note of the slimy tactics utilized to get these amendments to the new Governor today. There is no reason these amendments could not wait until November, except those who push ideology over governance have been granted the gift of power. So much for "NO KINGS".

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. A founding principle along with the right to religious freedom. These freedoms also encompass the legal right for people to marry. However, some believe that this right should only apply to cisgender women and men, such as Virginia leaders twenty years ago. I disagree with this belief, and consider its backing as a fallacy on the principles of this nation. Gay men and women are seeking to become married in institutions of their choosing. They are choosing churches and courthouses that are accepting of their right to marry. Notwithstanding the freedom for one to refuse to facilitate a wedding, this freedom is threatened by blocking all people from ever marrying same-sex individuals. Let all consenting individuals have the freedom to be married! May misinformation on this topic finally be put to rest in Virginia.

Hello, I’m writing in support of HJ3, the amendment that would finally remove the old ban on same-sex marriage from Virginia’s constitution and make it clear that two adults have the right to marry here. My husband and I moved our family to Virginia from Tennessee because we needed to feel safe. The political climate back home made it harder and harder for families like mine to imagine a stable future. We came to Richmond because Virginia felt different — more welcoming, more level-headed, and more committed to letting people live their lives without fear. Since moving here, we’ve put down real roots. We purchased a home, opened a small community-focused business, we’ve built connections, and we’ve tried to give back to the city that gave us a sense of belonging. We are currently in process of opening a 2nd location here in Virginia in Henrico County. I want to keep raising my family in a Virginia that moves forward, not backward — and that means making sure our rights aren’t dependent on whatever happens federally, or on who sits on the U.S. Supreme Court five or ten years from now. Even though marriage equality is currently protected nationwide, the outdated ban is still sitting inside Virginia’s constitution. It doesn’t reflect who we are anymore, and it makes thousands of families — mine included — feel like our rights could disappear with one court ruling. Passing HJ3 is a simple way to make sure Virginia’s constitution matches Virginia’s values. I love this state. I love the community my family has found here. And I want to know that the life we’ve built is protected. I hope you’ll support HJ3 and help keep Virginia a place where all families are valued. Thank you for your time. Matt and Nafis Narsinghani

I am writing in strong opposition to HJ3. THE ISSUE: "SEX" VS. "GENDER" SEPARATION. Most Virginians assume HJ3 is simply about same-sex marriage. But look at the actual language: "shall not deny the issuance of a marriage license to two adult persons on the basis of the sex, gender, or race of such persons." Why use BOTH "sex" AND "gender" if they mean the same thing? Because they don't. This amendment SEPARATES these terms for the first time in Virginia's Constitution, creating two distinct legal categories: • "Sex" = biological reality (male/female) • "Gender" = subjective self-identification THIS IS A TROJAN HORSE. By distinguishing "sex" from "gender," HJ3 embeds gender ideology into our highest legal document. Once the Constitution says Virginia cannot "discriminate" based on "gender," courts will use this language far beyond marriage licenses. REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCES FOR VIRGINIANS: • Your daughter's sports team competing against biological males who identify as female • Women's locker rooms and shelters legally required to admit biological men • Girls' sports scholarships going to biological males • Private businesses sued for recognizing biological sex over gender identity MOST AMERICANS OPPOSE THIS. Polling shows 69% oppose biological males in women's sports. 67% believe there are only two genders. Virginians think they're voting on "marriage equality" when they're actually embedding radical gender ideology throughout Virginia law. IN 2006, 57% OF VIRGINIA VOTERS approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman. Now the General Assembly is replacing it with language that separates "sex" and "gender." This wasn't necessary for same-sex marriage (already legal). This is about embedding gender ideology. THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROBLEM: The Framers understood government protects natural rights rooted in biological reality. Marriage between man and woman uniquely produces children. Every child has a biological mother and father. Separating "sex" from "gender" in our Constitution denies biology itself. THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PROBLEM: HJ3 allows clergy to refuse marriages but says nothing about Virginia business owners—bakers, florists, photographers, adoption agencies—who will face lawsuits for operating by their beliefs. Other states bankrupted religious business owners through litigation. GOD'S DESIGN MATTERS: Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife." Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:4-6: "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female?" Marriage was established by God as one man and one woman—predating any government. THE PRECEDENT: Roe v. Wade stood 49 years before Dobbs reversed it. Justice Thomas stated Obergefell should be reconsidered. HJ3 PERMANENTLY LOCKS IN gender ideology, ensuring even if the Supreme Court reverses, Virginia cannot return to biological reality. DON'T BE FOOLED. This is sold as "marriage equality" but actually inserts gender ideology into our Constitution. The sex/gender split will force policies most Virginians oppose. VOTE NO on HJ3. Protect women's sports, women's spaces, parental rights, religious freedom, biological reality, and Virginia families. Respectfully submitted, Jeff Bayard, Content Manager Virginia Christian Alliance

Felony disenfranchisement has been a stain on our Constitution since 1902. This amendment will allow individuals to automatically reinstate their right to vote upon release from incarceration. This amendment guarantees that ALL Virginians can participate in the democratic process that governs them.

I am bragging someone to hear my voice. I understand everyone has a different opinion. I am asking that you do not pass the Abortion without safeguards. If we continue down this dangerous path we will not have a country. We need to have babies to sustain to life here in the US, as we all were once a born baby of someone. Think about if your mother had aborted you! I asking to stop the Gerrymandering bill as it will keep voices from being heard from both sides. I am asking you not to pass the bill for unrepentant felons. Those people need to earn their way back into our society. Think about if they committed a crime against someone in your family that you love. How would you feel about a felon then? I am asking this in the name of Jesus.........

I write in strong support for HJ3 and any consenting adults’ right to marry.

Please vote NO on all 4 of these bills. HJ1: We should value ALL life whether it is inside the womb or outside the womb. Who is standing up for the rights of the unborn? Just because a person is in the womb doesn't mean they aren't important. Let's not prioritize the rights of the mother over the rights of the unborn in her womb. Let us be a state of LIFE, not death. Over 1 MILLION abortions were performed last year. That is a lot of potential lives lost. HJ2: Restoration of a person's rights is important; however, it shouldn't be automatic. If we are going to restore some rights automatically, shouldn't we restore them all. Like their Second Amendment Rights too? HJ3: Marriage should be between a man and a woman. Call it something else if you want to comply with the Supreme Court decision. HJ4: The political districts in a state should be drawn by those who would not benefit from them. Regardless of your political affiliation, politicians should not be setting the political districts in the state. Districts should be drawn in the most non-partial way as possible. Politicians drawing the political districts is like having the embezzler in charge of the financial audit, not good. Just because other states are doing this, it doesn't mean we have to do it in Virginia. We can be better. Again, I urge everyone to vote no on these 4 pieces of legislation. Garret

Please vote no on this bill. If someone wants to marry someone of the same sex, a priest or pastor should not be forced to marry them. Someone who wants to marry a partner of the same sex wants their views respected, yet when it comes to respecting the views of those that do not want to marry them, these same people condemn them. Just because a person believes in marriage between a man and a woman does not mean they hate those seeking that type of relationship. Instead it means they understand that in nature, children can only be conceived through man and woman. This fundamental truth is needed to preserve mankind. A pastor or a priest has the right to their opinion just like a person that wants to marry the same sex partner has.

Please vote no on this bill. If someone wants to marry someone of the same sex, a priest or pastor should not be forced to marry them. Someone who wants to marry a partner of the same sex wants their views respected, yet when it comes to respecting the views of those that do not want to marry them, these same people condemn them. Just because a person believes in marriage between a man and a woman does not mean they hate those seeking that type of relationship. Instead it means they understand that in nature, children can only be conceived through man and woman. This fundamental truth is needed to preserve mankind. A pastor or a priest has the right to their opinion just like a person that wants to marry the same sex partner has.

Richmond is home to many queer gay and bisexual individuals who come here for school, work, or have grown up here. This city is a community of gay and queer allies and this state has a keen interest in protecting those individuals rights to marry. For the taxes you impose on us all to fund our communities to the human capital that runs your bars, restaraunts, companies, organizations and developments the lgbtq community makes up more of the Virginia citizenry than you might think and we do it with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts even though many of those speaking today would want us burned at the stake. Please advance and accept this bill for amending the Virginia constitution so that we the people can decide for ourselves who we love and how we love. Thank you.

These 4 Amendments to the State Constitution do not reflect the values & will of the people of Virginia or God. Please vote against them all. Thank you!

It is currently legal for two consenting adults of the same sex to marry in Virginia. There is no exemption or protection for Churches to abstain from performing same sex marriages. Churches requested to perform these ceremonies may be sued incuring the legal costs of taking this challenge to the Supreme Court of the United States. The case involving a couple in Colorado that refused to bake a cake went to the Supreme Court twice. What do you think will happen in Virginia? Please amend the bill or Vote NO!

I ask you to vote NO on HJ1. I strongly oppose any abortion Please vote NO to HJ3. Right to marry should be for one man to one woman.

Please vote NO on Amendments 1, 2 ,3, 4 These do not uphold the values of our Country and State of Virginia. Sincerely, Cheryl Benedict

Comments Document

My name is Carol Schall and I am a resident of Chesterfield County. My wife, Mary Townley, and I were plaintiffs in Bostic v Rainey, the Marriage Equality case that was resolved by the Supreme Court denying Certiorari letting the 4th Fourth Circuit decision stand. That decision found Virginia’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman violated the due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th amendment of the United States Constitution. This bill will result in the repeal of the previous unconstitutional amendment and align Virginia with the right side of history. Mary and I entered the legal fight for Marriage Equality in 2013, our personal fight for marriage equality began when our now 27 year old daughter, Emily, was born. We decided that, regardless of Virginia’s lack of legal recognition, we were her family and would always present ourselves as both her moms. Names matter. Names like “mom” and “wife” make all the difference in the world. That is what we won: the simple and profound right to legally call each other family. The legal protections provided to married couples is significant and we celebrate our marriage every day. After 40 years of being together as a couple, our marriage is second only to parenting our daughter Emily. We humbly ask the general assembly to allow our Virginia Constitution to recognize what is our truth for 40 years now. Our marriage is sacred. We only ask for the state to recognize that. As I close, I quote from the text of Judge Arenda Wright Allen’s decision from the Eastern District Court of Appeals in Virginia. She wrote, “We have arrived upon another moment in history when We the People becomes more inclusive, and our freedom more perfect… The men and women, and the children too, whose voices join in noble harmony with Plaintiffs today, ask for fairness, and fairness only.” This committee can also make a bold statement for fairness and further remove the stain of prejudice by moving this important bill forward to the full general assembly. Thank you.

My husband and I are extremely concerned about proposed abortion bills and legislation. We have lived in this state for many years and never dreamed of these bills moving forward and are aghast at the thought of it. We are vehemently opposed to any such passage of abortion and whole heartedly in favor of preserving and protecting all life espeically of the most vulnerable unborn life that all science now admits. Please say "no" to such bills.

To the House Privileges and Elections Committee, I ask the committee to please consider what is being done to the unborn babies if this amendment passes. The most innocent of our society will be burned alive, ripped apart, and/ or have their brains sucked out. Please please put this on your heart as you cast your vote today. You may believe in a women's "right to reproduction", but please remember, when you cast your vote today, this is what you are voting for with regards to the unborn children. May God have mercy on us. Thank you, Peter DiNardo 757-285-8037

These amendments are of great concern to me

Dear members of the general assembly, I’m a licensed professional counselor and counselor educator working and serving communities, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships, in Virginia for the past decade. I’m writing to you to share my story about my family. My wife and I started our relationship in 2018 and got married in 2019. We worked hard and deeply desired to build our family. In 2021, we began our family planning journey as an LGBTQ+ couple. In 2022, we welcomed our son who is the biggest gift life can give. Our ability to be married greatly helped us in achieving our dreams as my wife was able to adopt our son in 2023. We all deserve the right to marry and build families and communities that support one another. Protecting the right to marry for LGBTQ+ individuals is a human right. When the judge asked us if there was anything we wanted to share about the adoption order, all we could muster was how grateful we are for this opportunity. Please protect our right to marry and keep LGBTQ+ families whole. Thank you!

I am in support of these Bills as a Virginia resident and voter.

I strongly support HJ3. This amendment would repeal the ban on same-sex marriage and affirm the lawful and equal status of adults' marriages, regardless of sex, gender, or race. David Popenoe, a conservative and an authority on the benefits of marriage, supports same-sex marriage. He makes a strong case that society benefits from stable families. Marriage, regardless of spouses' sex, promotes family stability. Individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have equal rights, including the right to marry.

As an almost lifelong Virginian, I would like to express my full support for each of these proposed bills/amendments.

I am a member of Equality UUCA which is a part of the 650-member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. Our focus is to represent LGBTQIA+ matters from the perspective of our faith. We urge repeal of the existing marriage amendment to the Constitution prohibiting marriage between same sex couples to be replaced by the proposed affirmative right to marriage. Please vote yes on HJ3. A guiding principle and value of our Unitarian Universalist faith is to affirm the inherent worthiness and dignity of all people. Marriage equality in effect for a decade has proven the wisdom of our principle. Marriage equality is good for families and good for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth can ill afford to take the risk of losing the many benefits of same sex marriage by an ill-considered future federal court decision. The time is now to remove this cruel anachronism from the Virginia Constitution, to recognize the clear will of the people of Virginia, and to affirm the thousands of same sex marriages that already exist and those that will exist in the future.

I urge repeal of the existing marriage amendment to the Constitution prohibiting marriage between same sex couples to be replaced by the proposed affirmative right to marriage. Please vote yes on HJ3. Marriage equality is good for families and good for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth can ill afford to take the risk of losing the many benefits of same sex marriage by an ill-considered future federal court decision. The time is now to remove this cruel anachronism from the Virginia Constitution, to recognize the clear will of the people of Virginia, and to affirm the thousands of same sex marriages that already exist and those that will exist in the future. Thank you. Carol Lewis

My husband and I have been together as a same sex couple for 40 years, the last 12 of which have been under a legal marriage performed in Maryland before Virginia would do so. My husband is a lifelong Virginia resident, as was his mother, and I have been a Virginia resident since beginning my attendance at the University of Virginia more than 50 years ago. Our quality of life was immeasurably improved from the day we could become legally united. Respect, worthiness, and dignity are important life values that legal marriage affirms. We lived through the horror of the Marshall Newman amendment's denial of our humanity and existence. Friends urged us to leave the Commonwealth to establish residence and pay taxes in a place that respected us. We held faith that our home state would eventually do the right thing and continue to hold hope that the Commonwealth will remove this remaining legal uncertainty for us. Please vote yes to advance HJ3 to a referendum.

I represent Equality UUCA which is a part of the 650-member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington. Our focus is to represent LGBTQIA+ matters from the perspective of our faith. We urge repeal of the existing marriage amendment to the Constitution prohibiting marriage between same sex couples to be replaced by the proposed affirmative right to marriage. Please vote yes on HJ3. A guiding principle and value of our Unitarian Universalist faith is to affirm the inherent worthiness and dignity of all people. Marriage equality in effect for a decade has proven the wisdom of our principle. Marriage equality is good for families and good for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth can ill afford to take the risk of losing the many benefits of same sex marriage by an ill considered future federal court decision. The time is now to remove this cruel anachronism from the Virginia Constitution, to recognize the clear will of the people of Virginia, and to affirm the thousands of same sex marriages that already exist and those that will exist in the future.