ADF, county clerk considering appeal of decision against Va. marriage amendment

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Byron Babione regarding a federal judge’s decision Thursday in Bostic v. Rainey to strike down Virginia’s laws affirming marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys representing Prince William County Clerk of Court Michéle B. McQuigg are defending those laws:

“The people of Virginia understand that men and women bring distinct, irreplaceable gifts to family life, especially for children who deserve both a mom and a dad. Understanding that truth, the voters of Virginia approved a constitutional amendment to affirm marriage as the union of a man and a woman. The court’s reasoning, however, would permit nearly every relationship to be a marriage so long as it is grounded in choice and emotion, yet that’s not what marriage or true liberty has ever been. Because the court’s ruling interferes with the right of Virginians to determine the future of marriage in their state and raises serious constitutional issues, we are reviewing the judge’s decision with our client and considering our next steps.”

The judge’s order will not go into effect until appeals in the case have concluded.