"Decrying a Virginia law some say is anti-gay, Democratic congressional candidate Al Weed called General Assembly Republicans “the most modern Taliban in the world” at a Charlottesville rally Wednesday.

“It is a party of righteous rectitude,” said Weed, a Nelson County farmer trying to capture the seat of Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount. “The only way to change it is through the ballot box.”

Weed and other speakers received loud cheers from a crowd of about 250 people opposed to the Affirmation of Marriage Act, which takes effect today. It was strongly supported by state Republicans, receiving the votes of two-thirds of the House of Delegates and the Senate.

Barring civil unions, partnership contracts or other arrangements between people of the same sex in intimate relationships, the law was protested at eight rallies organized across the state by Equality Virginia, a gay-rights group.

On her last day as a Charlottesville city councilor, Meredith Richards said she considers the law a “litmus test” and that she will not vote for any supporter, which would include Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County.

“I can make up a will to my dog, but I cannot will my property to another woman,” she said. “Folks, this is Orwellian. This is scary.”

Singer John McCutcheon led renditions of protest songs, triggering cheers with the line, “Who we choose to love is no business of yours.”

Speakers, including Albemarle County Supervisor Sally Thomas, lobbied the crowd to vote for candidates who support gay rights. Dan Ortiz, a University of Virginia law professor, called the law “legislative gay-bashing.”

Some people in attendance said they may leave Virginia if the law is not overturned in court.

“This is the most hateful law in the country right now,” said Kay Frazier, a Nelson County resident who owns a house and has signed other contracts with her female partner of 15 years. “Either the law changes or we leave the state.”

Rallies were organized in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Richmond, Norfolk and the Shenandoah Valley on Wednesday.

A statement by Gov. Mark Warner, who tried and failed to remove the law’s prohibition of contracts, was read at the Charlottesville event.

“This law raises serious constitutional issues,” the governor wrote, “and it places Virginia outside the mainstream of other states when it comes to respecting individual liberty.”

Protesters marched in front of the Manassas home of bill sponsor Del. Bob Marshall on Saturday, forcing him to cancel his son’s high-school graduation party.

The Republican delegate was lambasted by speakers Wednesday, including Jan Cornell, president of the UVa Staff Union.

“I have a huge problem with white men like Bob Marshall coming into our homes, coming into our bedrooms,” she said.

Del. Mitchell Van Yahres declined to criticize his General Assembly colleague, but told the crowd, “I’m with you.” " (Kate Andrews, The Daily Progress, July 1, 2004)

Contact Kate Andrews at (434) 978-7261 or kandrews@dailyprogress.com