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<br /> 11 <br /> <br /> It was the consensus of Council to defer a decision on the plan for the blighted <br />property for two weeks in order to get a specific plan from the property owner. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION <br />: OPPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROHIBITING <br />CERTAIN CIVIL UNIONS <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said the Constitutional amendment prohibiting same sex marriage and <br />certain civil unions is on the upcoming election ballot and a lot of people in the <br />community are concerned about how the amendment will affect their rights. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he strongly supports the resolution opposing the amendment. He <br />said the point has been made about whether it is appropriate for Council to take this issue <br />up. He said the amendment specifically restricts political subdivisions and affects what <br />we can and cannot do, and therefore it directly affects us. He said for that and many <br />other reasons he supports the resolution. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that it used to be illegal for blacks to marry in the country, and <br />illegal for blacks and whites to marry. She said that is the reason she supports the <br />resolution opposing the amendment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said the amendment takes certain rights away from people and he <br />has a problem denying people rights. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said it is a misnomer to call it a marriage amendment as it strips away <br />other rights. He said it is a mean-spirited amendment and disenfranchises people. He <br />said it is talking about all unmarried couples, and it affects him directly as he and his <br />girlfriend are not married. He said he hopes Charlottesville residents will vote against the <br />amendment. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he does not think we should lightly amend the constitution, but <br />when we do we should use it to give rights, not take them away. <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Taliaferro, the resolution opposing <br />the Constitutional amendment regarding certain civil unions was approved by the <br />following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. <br />Noes: None. <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br />, the City of Charlottesville is a richly diverse community, and is it in <br />the public interest of the City to assure that each citizen is treated fairly and provided <br />equal protections of the law and equal opportunity to participate in the benefits and <br />privileges of community life; and, <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br />, the City of Charlottesville is committed to protecting the rights of <br />all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, <br />disability, or martial status; and, <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> the Virginia General Assembly has voted to approve an amendment <br />to the Bill of Rights to the Virginia Constitution reading: <br /> <br />"That only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage <br />valid or recognized by this Commonwealth and its political subdivisions. <br />This Commonwealth and its political subdivisions shall not create or <br />recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that <br />intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance, or effects of <br />marriage. Nor shall this Commonwealth or its political subdivisions <br />create or recognize another union, partnership or legal status to which is <br />assigned the rights, benefits, obligations qualities, or effects of marriage." <br /> <br />and, <br /> <br /> <br />