"Back off, Christian Right. That was the message City Councilors heard last week, as they considered a resolution protesting the Commonwealth’s ban on same-sex civil unions. It was the second time in two weeks that people descended on local government meetings, venting frustrations over the growing role of religious conservatives in every level of politics.

On November 9, pro-choice advocates crowded the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals to support a Planned Parenthood clinic on Hydraulic Road. On November 15, Council considered a resolution calling on the General Assembly to repeal H.B. 751, which is known as the “Affirmation of Marriage Act” and became law in July.

Crafted by conservative Catholic Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Manassas), H.B. 751 voids any partnership between members of the same sex that would “bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage.” Opponents of the law say it is unfair and unconstitutional. Charlottesville City Councilor Blake Caravati says he proposed the resolution opposing H.B. 751 after constituents contacted him, asking Council to take a stand against the controversial ban. Council passed the resolution 4 to 1, with Rob Schilling dissenting.

During the public hearing, Anne Coughlin, a UVA law professor, said the constitutionality of the act is questionable, and predicted it would mire the Commonwealth in lawsuits. Others said the law could prevent gay couples from executing wills or making medical decisions for their partners.

“This law puts our family at risk,” said Claire Kaplan, an activist with the gay rights group UVA Pride.

Others condemned the act as government intrusion into private life.

“Every Virginian has the right to decide where their money goes or who can make medical decisions for them,” said Bekah Saxon, a city teacher. “Keep government small.”

A few critics showed up, too. Harold Bare, pastor at the Covenant Church of God, criticized the language of Council’s resolution. One paragraph, for example, said H.B. 751 “does not reflect the needs and attitudes of an enlightened and educated people.”

Bare said Council had attacked “the integrity of all those people who might oppose this resolution.” Seeing Bare’s point, Caravati struck the offending language from the resolution.

In voting against it, Schilling said he worries “this Council overestimates its own importance, and in doing so undermines its own credibility.”

Local Republican officials, who in the past opposed Council resolutions against the USA PATRIOT Act and the Iraq war, did not comment on this ordinance, though they were present at the meeting. Perhaps people like city party chair Bob Hodous recognize that casting their lot with religious conservatives might not play as well in Charlottesville as it does in other parts of Virginia." (John Borgmeyer, C-Ville Weekly, November 23-29, 2004)