This is a good proposal to provide equitable health coverage for all couples in Virginia.  However one may feel about the definition of marriage as a sacred institution, it is another thing entirely to argue that a hard working citizen of the Commonwealth who happens to be gay and is in a committed relationship is not entitled to the same kind of compensation that another worker doing the same job who happens to be straight is, especially when the option of marriage is denied them.  

Also at issue, as faculty and staff of some of our most prestigious universities have already noted on this site, is the ability of our institutions of higher learning to compete for top talent.  Virginia has some of the best colleges in the nation, but our restrictive laws regarding gay and lesbian couples acts as a disincentive to professionals considering accepting employment in our state.  Recent economic troubles have led to the dying of old companies and industries in this country and have illustrated the need for an educated workforce; Virginia relies on its state universities to provide this, and allowing such a deterrent for the best educators to joint state faculties will prove detrimental for us all in the long run.