Virginia state legislators passed a law two years ago that prohibits "civil unions, partnership contracts or other arrangements between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage." A proposed constitutional amendment, which will go to voters in November, excludes any "unmarried individuals" from "union, partnership or other legal status similar to marriage."

Many gay people in Virginia and some family-law attorneys say they worry that the state law and proposed amendment are more far-reaching than simple bans on gay marriage -- that the measures could threaten the legal viability of the contracts used by gay couples to share ownership of property and businesses.

Feeling Unwelcome, Some Gays Vacate Virginia / November ballot ban helps fuel migration / Washington Post / Kirstin Downey / August 7 2006

More and more states are not only banning gay marriage, but private co-habitation agreements and other legal protections that gays have enjoyed.  While I oppose gay marriage and civil unions, I believe this sort of legislation goes to far. Gays and Lesbians are still citizens. All American citizens have the right to enter into private contracts, to control of their private property and society's protection against physical violence and harassment.