faye 🕸️ purcon 11

Virginians made clear that reproductive rights are not up for debate. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states across the South and across the country rolled back these rights. But not Virginia. Our Commonwealth remains the only state in the South that has not restricted women's reproductive freedoms since the Dobbs decision. Now, because Virginians used their voices at the ballot box, these rights will be enshrined in our Constitution. No politician can threaten our right to choose, right to privacy, right to access IVF, or right to contraception. As a mother, I know that these decisions are deeply personal. As Governor, I am proud that our Commonwealth voted to make sure personal medical decisions stay between a patient and their doctor — not politicians.

Today is a historic day for our Commonwealth. Virginians voted decisively to enshrine marriage equality in our Constitution and affirm that Virginia is a welcoming place for all families. I am grateful to every Virginian who has helped us take this step forward. It was just two decades ago that Virginia passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. And while couples across our Commonwealth have been able to legally marry in the 10 years since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, these celebrations have occurred under the shadow of Virginia’s ban. That ends today.