A message from Pflag National:

This week, PFLAGers everywhere celebrated a decision from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, upholding the ruling that found Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional. We released the following statement to the press:

“This is a huge win for our LGBT loved ones in the state of Virginia, who simply want the opportunity to make legal their commitment to their partners,” said PFLAG Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby. “I congratulate PFLAGers across the state with special thanks to members from our chapters and the other organizations and people with whom they have collaborated, all of whom have worked so tirelessly on this issue.”

PFLAG National submitted to the 4th Circuit Court an amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief, sharing the stories of PFLAGers whose lives, whether their own or their loved ones’, have been negatively affected by the ban. Included among them is a statement from PFLAG National Board Member Linda Stroupe, whose own 42-year marriage, she says in the brief, is affirmed by the rights for all to be married.

“Marriage is the way that society affirms and recognizes a relationship. We should permit same-sex marriage, and with our laws tell same-sex couples that they are equal, and that their committed relationships are just as worthy of recognition as any other.”

PFLAG National Deputy Executive Director Beth Kohm added, “In our home in Virginia, my son is learning of the proud history of the Commonwealth. The opportunity for all families to be recognized is a Virginian value in 2014 and one that I am hopeful will be added to the rich heritage of Virginia. I’m proud to be a part of PFLAG, and we will continue to work in preparation for the inevitable appeal of this ruling, until the day that marriage equality is the law of the land in the Commonwealth.”

** BREAKING **

More great news has come in since we issued our statement…the ripple effect of the 4th Circuit Court’s decision could be felt across the border in North Carolina, where the attorney general, Roy Cooper, announced that he would no longer defend that state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Another win to celebrate…no one can argue against a loving couple’s right to commit to each other!