Pastor sues to block Virginia same-sex marriage amendment
A conservative legal group and a pastor are challenging a proposed amendment to the Virginia Constitution that, if passed, would make same-sex marriage a state constitutional right. Virginia voters will decide next week whether the Commonwealth will repeal a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that is currently unenforceable. The Founding Freedoms Law Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of Ben Purves, pastor of community and member care at Occoquan Bible Church in Woodbridge, against various state officials over the proposed amendment, citing procedural grounds. The complaint, filed last week in the Circuit Court of the County of Prince William, alleges that the proposed amendment did not follow proper procedure for approval to be on the ballot. “These steps exist to inform the voters before the pivotal House of Delegates election. They were not performed before the November 4…