Family  had always been broader than our conception of a married couple with children. The reality is that only about 50 percent of households in Virginia are comprised of two people married to each other (and possibly their children). Regardless of my or other's views on the value of marriage socially, fairness means that a Virginia state employee should be able to include longstanding adult members of their household.  Yes, this amendment means that maybe someone you don't like or approve of will be able to have insurance.  It also means that your 22 year old working at his or her first job, who still lives at home, won't be one of the thousands of people uninsured in this state.

We need broader access to health and other benefits, not less.  If you include healthy partners and other adults in a household, you possibly make the pool of insured healthier, rather than less.

I'm no expert, but it seems to me that broadening the pool has broad benefits for all of us--whether it is reduced unrecoverable emergency room bills, or lower premiums overall.

And let's face it --it's fair.  I strongly believe in marriage personally, both for religious and other personal reasons.  But I also recognize that my opinion isn't the only one that counts, and that not everyone's life has worked out in ways that make marriage possible.  Denying the option for health care and other benefits that collectively contribute to the health and welfare of a household does not serve anyone's agenda in the long-run.  It certainly does not make my marriage stronger to deny someone else the benefits I enjoy.

To the supporters of this amendment, thank you very much for your leadership, political courage,  and commitment to public service.