LGBTQ+ Rights: Respect, Equality & Dignity in Virginia – Without Exception 🏳️‍🌈

Episode 24: LGBTQ+ Rights: Respect, Equality & Dignity in Virginia – Without Exception.  Brian, Chris and Andy discussed the Classical Liberal Party of Virginia (CLPVA) position on LGBTQ+ rights, reviewing the platform position and some of the background and current situation on LGBTQ rights in the Commonwealth. Looking at the Virginia Constitution, the team highlighted the importance of protecting individual rights, updating archaic laws, and fighting against legislation that targets and discriminates against the LGBTQ+ community. The CLPVA calls for respect for the inherent dignity, worth, unique attributes, and human rights of all individuals as a fundamental principle that brooks no exception. The Party supports LGBTQ+ people’s right to live openly with open rights, personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association without discrimination, either by the state or state-like entities, and calls upon the Commonwealth and all subordinate jurisdictions to protect the equal rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. The discussion reviewed three specific positions on LGBTQ+ rights, addressed ongoing Culture War battles, the need for a constitutional amendment in Virginia for equal protection under the law, and the importance of challenging one’s own beliefs and positions.   Relevant links from this episode include: Article I. Bill of Rights: Section 15-A. Marriage. “That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions create or recognize another union, partnership, or other legal status to which is assigned the rights, benefits, obligations, qualities, or effects of marriage.” On sodomy laws: Virginia Prohibited Consensual Sexual Activity Laws RAND: Twenty Years of Legal Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in the United States   Learn more! Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Open markets. Open minds. Free people. https://clpvirginia.org Join Us https://clpvirginia.org/join Facebook: Classical Liberal Party of Virginia Instagram: classicalliberalpartyva Twitter: @clpvirginia Chris on Bluesky: @frashure.bsky.social Andy on Threads: @andy_jabbour