This is an action which would aim to extend health (and other) benefits to the spouses and children of all employees of the commonwealth of Virginia, no matter which genders are involved.  While the people of Virginia might not want to extend civil rights and liberties to their fellow human beings, neighboors, and co-workers, the government, as an entity above petty distinctions between its citizens, has the obligation to treat ALL its citizens fairly AND equally.  To favor one segment of the population over another goes against everything this country was founded upon, not to mention the constitutions of each state.

This being said, the action as currently described is deeply flawed.  As this is the public comment period, time remains to fix the vague language put in place by those who fear, rightly, retaliation or discrimination for attempting (just attempting!) to level the playing field for all couples, regardless of the techincal legality of their union.  As it stands, any adult and all of their dependents would be able to attain benefits courtesy of the commonwealth of Virginia.  I heartily recommend that the language be changed to recognize that only adults and their spouses or children who co-habit; regardless of the official or unofficial, legal or quasi-legal, state of relation, be extended the health (and other misc.) benefits currently extended to legally married couples or those in a civil union. 

It is a source of great shame to one currently living abroad in a more tolerant society that the great state of Virginia would still allow for a portion of its citizenry to go without the helping hand given to the majority.