Freedom is for EVERYONE.
In Virginia, we believe in freedom: the freedom to build a life, raise a family, and love who you love
This November, Virginians have the chance to secure that freedom for good
The Marriage Equality Amendment will remove an outdated ban from our state constitution and ensure that every Virginia family has the same rights, protections, and dignity, no matter who they are or who they love.
About the Marriage Equality Amendment
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This November, Virginians will vote on a constitutional amendment to protect the freedom to marry for all couples, regardless of sex, gender, or race. The amendment would repeal Virginia's 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment, a ban on same-sex marriage that remains in our state constitution today, and replace it with an affirmative guarantee that the government must treat all marriages equally under the law.
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Yes, and it could disappear overnight. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, same-sex couples have had the right to marry under federal law. Virginia families have built lives, bought homes, raised children, and grown old together under that protection. But federal protections can change. With one Supreme Court decision,the right of Virginians to marry who they love could vanish overnight, leaving the 2006 ban in place and valid in our state constitution. To prevent that possibility from becoming our reality, we must act now.
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Because right now, Virginia's constitution treats some families as second-class. The Marshall-Newman Amendment is still there, just waiting for federal law to change. And the Supreme Court has demonstrated a willingness to overturn longstanding precedent like in the Dobbs decision. If the same thing happens with marriage equality, thousands of Virginians will lose hospital visitation rights, inheritance protections, the ability to make medical decisions for a spouse, and the security of knowing their family is recognized by their own state. A constitutional amendment is the only way to protect them.
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There is no guarantee that marriage equality will stay the federal law of the land. We can't afford to wait to see if that changes. Waiting leaves thousands of Virginia families unprotected the next time the legal ground shifts beneath them.
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Virginians believe in freedom, not just for ourselves, but for our neighbors too. Regardless of party, faith, or background, people across the Commonwealth value the freedom to make decisions about our families without the government getting in the way. This amendment protects that freedom. It doesn't change what marriage means to you, your church, or your community. It simply removes government from a deeply personal decision and ensures the law treats every family the same. Our legislature, with bipartisan support, has already voted twice to put this amendment on the ballot. Virginians support the freedom to marry, and we deserve a constitution that reflects that.
Listen to Real Virginia Families
Couples who have built lives together, parents raising children, your neighbors who simply want the same security and dignity as everyone else. Their stories are why this amendment matters.
Rachel & Jenn
Midlothian, VA“Before marriage equality, we had to leave Virginia to get legally married and spend thousands of dollars on lawyers just to make sure both of us would be recognized as parents to our own children.”
Read full story
Rachel and Jenn have built a life together in Virginia for more than 16 years, raising their two sons while balancing careers, family life, and two small businesses in the Richmond area.
Before marriage equality became federally recognized, building their family required navigating years of legal uncertainty and expensive legal protections simply to ensure both parents would be recognized under Virginia law.
When their first son was born in 2013, Rachel and Jenn temporarily relocated to Washington, D.C. before his birth so both mothers could be listed on his birth certificate.
Steve & Austin
Gordonsville, VA“Even the smallest risk of losing the protections and recognition that come with marriage made us realize we didn’t want to wait.”
Read full story
Steve and Austin met while Austin was in medical school and Steve was beginning his legal career. Since then, their lives together have taken them from military communities in Bethesda and Norfolk to a farm in rural Virginia, where they are currently renovating a property together in Gordonsville.
As they planned their wedding for Memorial Day weekend, the uncertainty surrounding the future of marriage equality played a major role in their decision to move their timeline up sooner than expected.
Elaine & Alyssa
Alexandria, VA“As the political climate became more uncertain, we realized marriage was one of the clearest ways to protect our relationship and future together. We grew up in Virginia, fell in love in Virginia, and chose to build our lives here”
Read full story
Elaine and Alyssa first met as high school students on a history field trip in 2013 before reconnecting years later while building careers in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The couple married in Old Town Alexandria surrounded by close friends and family. For them, getting married in Virginia was deeply intentional.
Though it would have been easier to marry in D.C., they wanted their home state — the Commonwealth where they were raised, educated, and built their lives together — reflected on their marriage certificate.
Bruce & Peter
Arlington, VA“Even after nearly 30 years together, we never truly imagined marriage would be possible for us. When we finally stood in that courthouse and heard the words spoken aloud, it felt like our relationship was being recognized as equally valuable and worthy.”
Read full story
Bruce and his husband Peter have been together in Virginia for more than 40 years. Over those decades, they built a life together surrounded by supportive family, community, and faith—while also navigating a world where they never truly believed marriage would be possible for them.
After 28 years together, the couple married in Maryland in 2013 on their anniversary, exchanging their fathers’ rings in a small courthouse ceremony surrounded by loved ones.
Marriage equality brought a sense of validation and belonging that neither of them fully realized they had been missing until it was possible.
Narissa & Breanna
Richmond, VA“We want future generations of LGBTQ+ Virginians to grow up knowing they belong here too, with a constitution that reflects the lives of all our families, neighbors, and community members.”
Read full story
Narissa and Breanna chose to make Virginia their home after moving to Richmond several years ago. What began as a temporary stop quickly became the place where they found community, built a life together—including their two very pampered dogs—and eventually celebrated their marriage surrounded by family and friends.
For Narissa, an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen as a child, the opportunity to help shape the future of the Commonwealth this November carries special meaning.
Together, she and Breanna have been working to build a Virginia where every family is treated with dignity and respect.
Joe & James
Roanoke, VA“Marriage equality means more than a legal document. It’s the ability to care for the person you love, build a family together, and know your relationship will be recognized and respected in your community.”
Read full story
Joe and James have built a life together in Southwest Virginia centered around family, faith, public service, and community.
Together, they’ve raised four children, built careers in medicine, ministry, and local government, and helped advocate for LGBTQ+ Virginians across the Commonwealth.
Long before marriage equality became federally recognized, they faced uncertainty navigating surrogacy laws, parental recognition, and legal protections for their family.
Today, they continue speaking out because they believe no Virginia family should have to question whether their marriage and loved ones will be protected under the law.
Rachel & Jenn
Midlothian, VA“Before marriage equality, we had to leave Virginia to get legally married and spend thousands of dollars on lawyers just to make sure both of us would be recognized as parents to our own children.”
Read full story
Rachel and Jenn have built a life together in Virginia for more than 16 years, raising their two sons while balancing careers, family life, and two small businesses in the Richmond area.
Before marriage equality became federally recognized, building their family required navigating years of legal uncertainty and expensive legal protections simply to ensure both parents would be recognized under Virginia law.
When their first son was born in 2013, Rachel and Jenn temporarily relocated to Washington, D.C. before his birth so both mothers could be listed on his birth certificate.
Steve & Austin
Gordonsville, VA“Even the smallest risk of losing the protections and recognition that come with marriage made us realize we didn’t want to wait.”
Read full story
Steve and Austin met while Austin was in medical school and Steve was beginning his legal career. Since then, their lives together have taken them from military communities in Bethesda and Norfolk to a farm in rural Virginia, where they are currently renovating a property together in Gordonsville.
As they planned their wedding for Memorial Day weekend, the uncertainty surrounding the future of marriage equality played a major role in their decision to move their timeline up sooner than expected.
Elaine & Alyssa
Alexandria, VA“As the political climate became more uncertain, we realized marriage was one of the clearest ways to protect our relationship and future together. We grew up in Virginia, fell in love in Virginia, and chose to build our lives here”
Read full story
Elaine and Alyssa first met as high school students on a history field trip in 2013 before reconnecting years later while building careers in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
The couple married in Old Town Alexandria surrounded by close friends and family. For them, getting married in Virginia was deeply intentional.
Though it would have been easier to marry in D.C., they wanted their home state — the Commonwealth where they were raised, educated, and built their lives together — reflected on their marriage certificate.
Bruce & Peter
Arlington, VA“Even after nearly 30 years together, we never truly imagined marriage would be possible for us. When we finally stood in that courthouse and heard the words spoken aloud, it felt like our relationship was being recognized as equally valuable and worthy.”
Read full story
Bruce and his husband Peter have been together in Virginia for more than 40 years. Over those decades, they built a life together surrounded by supportive family, community, and faith—while also navigating a world where they never truly believed marriage would be possible for them.
After 28 years together, the couple married in Maryland in 2013 on their anniversary, exchanging their fathers’ rings in a small courthouse ceremony surrounded by loved ones.
Marriage equality brought a sense of validation and belonging that neither of them fully realized they had been missing until it was possible.
Narissa & Breanna
Richmond, VA“We want future generations of LGBTQ+ Virginians to grow up knowing they belong here too, with a constitution that reflects the lives of all our families, neighbors, and community members.”
Read full story
Narissa and Breanna chose to make Virginia their home after moving to Richmond several years ago. What began as a temporary stop quickly became the place where they found community, built a life together—including their two very pampered dogs—and eventually celebrated their marriage surrounded by family and friends.
For Narissa, an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen as a child, the opportunity to help shape the future of the Commonwealth this November carries special meaning.
Together, she and Breanna have been working to build a Virginia where every family is treated with dignity and respect.
Joe & James
Roanoke, VA“Marriage equality means more than a legal document. It’s the ability to care for the person you love, build a family together, and know your relationship will be recognized and respected in your community.”
Read full story
Joe and James have built a life together in Southwest Virginia centered around family, faith, public service, and community.
Together, they’ve raised four children, built careers in medicine, ministry, and local government, and helped advocate for LGBTQ+ Virginians across the Commonwealth.
Long before marriage equality became federally recognized, they faced uncertainty navigating surrogacy laws, parental recognition, and legal protections for their family.
Today, they continue speaking out because they believe no Virginia family should have to question whether their marriage and loved ones will be protected under the law.
Support Virginians for Marriage Equality
Winning this amendment takes resources: voter outreach, digital advertising, community events, and the staff who make it all happen. Your contribution goes directly to reaching the Virginia voters who will decide this election. Donate $25, $50, or $100 today!
Sign Up and Show Up for Your Neighbors
Virginians show up for one another. And right now, we need to be able to count on each other more than ever. There’s no time to waste—join the movement today.
How to Vote on the Marriage Equality Amendment
The Marriage Equality Amendment will appear on the ballot on November 3, 2026. Here's what you need to know to make your voice heard.
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Check your registration status at vote.virginia.gov. You can register online at vote.virginia.gov until October 23, 2026, 11 days before the election. You can also register in person at your local general registrar's office up to and including Election Day.
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The Marriage Equality Amendment will appear on the 2026 general election ballot. Voters can vote between September 18 through November 3.
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Find your polling place at vote.virginia.gov. Polls are open from 6 AM to 7 PM on Election Day.
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Virginia requires an ID to vote. Acceptable forms include a Virginia driver's license or DMV-issued ID, U.S. passport, employer-issued photo ID, student ID, or Virginia voter ID card issued by the Virginia Department of Elections. If you do not have a photo ID, you can use any current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document with the voter’s name and address not older than 12 months.
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Yes. Early in-person voting is available from September 18 through October 31. No excuse or reason is required. Voter registration offices will also be open for early voting on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Contact your local general registrar’s office for early voting locations, satellite locations, and hours, or visit vote.virginia.gov.
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Yes. Any registered Virginia voter may vote absentee, no excuse required. You can request an absentee ballot online at vote.virginia.gov, by mail, or in person at your local general registrar's office. The deadline to request an absentee ballot online or by mail is 5 PM on October 23, 2026.
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If you miss the registration deadline date you should use Same Day Registration during early voting at your local registrar’s office or on Election Day at your polling location.
The Marriage Equality Coalition
Virginians for Marriage Equality is proud to stand with a growing, bipartisan coalition of community leaders, faith organizations, businesses, and elected officials who believe in freedom and fairness for every Virginia family.
If your organization believes in freedom for every Virginia family, add your name.
