#1 VOTE NO to Support Human Life

If passed, this dangerously vague amendment would remove critical safeguards for women’s reproductive health and safety and embed extreme policies into the Virginia state Constitution. It would create unregulated abortions at any time, even up until birth, by unlicensed abortion providers, threatening the health of mothers and even healthy babies. It lets the government take away the involvement of parents in their right to be included in healthcare decisions with their children, creating family division and conflict.  

Abortion access is in no danger in Virginia where the Code of Virginia already allows abortion up to birth but also allows for safety and licensing regulations. Voting “no” on this amendment changes nothing in the status quo. Each ‘no” vote is a vote to uphold women’s health and safety, respect parental rights, and safeguard against unregulated abortion even for healthy babies up to birth for any reason with no limits.  

#2 VOTE NO to Support Family & Women

The exact ballot language for the “Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment” is biased, misleading and as follows:  

“Question: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) remove the ban on same-sex marriage; (ii) affirm that two adults may marry regardless of sex, gender, or race; and (iii) require all legally valid marriages to be treated equally under the law?”  

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unjustly in its Obergefell decision and enshrined a false conception of marriage and family into American life. This Supreme Court decision rejected the truth that marriage and family are natural goods, instead creating a fundamental right to marry based on autonomy that is now leading to a growing commercial surrogacy industry, where couples are now able to effectively purchase human beings, violate the natural rights of children, and exploit vulnerable mothers.   

Virginia lawmakers are proposing to enshrine this same false legal definition of marriage into our Commonwealth’s constitution, as a way to perpetuate these injustices in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision is eventually overturned.   

The ballot language also falsely separates the reality of one’s sex and gender as distinct categories. Our human nature is grounded in the truth that we are either male or female, not in changing concepts of identity. 

Voting “no” on this amendment is a vote recognizing the truth of marriage as a natural institution between one man and one woman.  

What is the Catholics Church's role in American politics?

The Church is not partisan. The Church never advocates for or against specific candidates or parties. At the same time, the Church, in fidelity to the Gospel and her mission, always speaks clearly and faithfully concerning matters of faith and morals in public life. 

An issue of fundamental moral justice confronts each one of us. As Catholics, we vote “no” on these proposed amendments because they involve intrinsic questions of right and wrong. The Church boldly proclaims its “Yes!” to the good of human life and the sanctity of marriage. For us to speak this “yes,” we must together proclaim “no!” to these radically unjust ballot initiatives—in fidelity to God and for the good of all in our society.

Discover the VIRGINIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE here!