Surovell wants to remove homosexuality from the definition of obscene sexual content in the Virginia code
Gov. Youngkin talked 2024 during a Wednesday night interview with NBC News.
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The rundown
Senator Scott Surovell a bill to try and remove same-sex relationships from the state’s definition of obscene sexual content in the Virginia code.
Gov. Youngkin talked 2024 during a Wednesday night interview with NBC News.
Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano announces reelection bid.
Surovell wants to remove homosexuality from the definition of obscene sexual content in the Virginia code
Senator Scott Surovell (D) filed SB 835 to try and remove same-sex relationships from the state’s definition of obscene sexual content in the Virginia code.
The Virginia criminal code prohibits selling or renting media that includes sexual conduct to minors. Virginia’s code lists the depiction of homosexuality as part of the obscene sexual content that is prohibited. Homosexuality is listed alongside masturbation, sexual intercourse, or physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation.
With the code as it is currently written, a book that would discuss a homosexual couple is considered obscene sexual content according to the Virginia code, but a book showing a heterosexual couple would not be considered obscene.
“Virginians should always feel safe living as their true selves,” Surovell said. “Defining all references to homosexual relationships as obscene clearly discriminates against an entire class of people and it’s time for our code to accept all relationships. The language in today’s Code is likely unconstitutional and unenforceable especially after the Obergefell decision. Healthy homosexual relationships have been depicted in written, audio and visual media for decades and keeping language in the Code of Virginia that makes such content a misdemeanor are anachronisms.”
Del. Karrie Delaney (D) is sponsoring the companion bill in the House of Delegates.
The bill will eventually be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Youngkin talks 2024 in a Wednesday night interview
During an interview with NBC News Wednesday night, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin discussed 2024 and the potential prospects of a national run.
With many experts considering Youngkin a possible contender for a nationwide run, Youngkin said he is “overwhelmingly humbled.”
“We’re bringing people together and getting things done,” he said. “My sense is that’s what Americans are looking for. That’s what Virginians are looking for.”
This interview happened on the first night of the 2023 legislative session in Virginia. When Youngkin was pushed to answer if he is considering running for President, he said he is focused on Virginia.
“Virginians hired me to do a job and I so am enjoying doing it," he said. "I feel every day that there’s folks who are counting on us and I’m looking forward to delivering for them.”
“I think our job as Republicans is to continue to demonstrate that there’s room in our party for everyone,” Youngkin continued. “We do believe in low taxes, and small business, and strong defense, and standing up for law enforcement. And by the way, educational excellence. We should be the party of education. I think that’s what we prove in Virginia.”
Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano announces reelection bid
Steve Descano told his supporters on Thursday that he will be seeking reelection in November to a second term as Fairfax County’s Commonwealth Attorney. Descano was first elected to the position in 2019.
“It has been my honor serving our community to ensure we remain the safest jurisdiction of our size anywhere in the country while having a justice system that reflects our values. I’m proud of the great strides we have taken in creating a criminal justice system where safety and justice go hand in hand and look forward to building on our success,” Descano said in an email to supporters. “Since taking office in 2020 we have delivered on promises aimed at improving our justice system which include creating diversion programs that reduce crime, using data initiatives to undo disparities and reach better outcomes, and restructuring the office around victim-centered prosecution to focus on the individual needs of victims. I have worked to build broad-based safety and justice and am encouraged by the fact that since taking office Fairfax County has seen crime fall by almost 10%.”
House Democratic leader pushes for stricter gun laws in Virginia - WRIC
by Dean Mirshahi
The Democratic leader in the Virginia House of Delegates said his party hopes to pass gun restrictions this year, including proposals for waiting periods for firearm purchases and a ban on assault weapons. House Minority Leader Don Scott (D-Portsmouth) told reporters Wednesday that Democrats will seek the changes during the 2023 General Assembly session, calling out Gov. Glenn Youngkin for his response to recent shootings in Virginia.
“The governor tries to pivot every single time when we have one of those, which we know we’re going to have another when we have a shooting in a school or we have, like in [the University of Virginia]. or we have a shooting with the 6-year-old kid going to school,” Del. Scott said after the House wrapped up its first session of the year.
Byron, Newman file Youngkin-backed bills to ban most abortions after 15 weeks - RTD
by Charlotte Rene Woods
Months after Gov. Glenn Youngkin tapped them to work on abortion legislation, Del. Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, and Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, filed bills to ban most of the procedures after 15 weeks of gestation.
Physicians who violate the law could be charged with a Class 4 felony — punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. “Delegate Kathy Byron made good on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s promise to try to ban abortion in Virginia by introducing this proposed legislation,” said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia president Jamie Lockhart in a statement before Newman’s bill was filed.
General Assembly poised to take up array of parental rights bills - Virginia Mercury
By Nathaniel Cline
Virginia Republicans’ push for parental rights, a term used to cover a range of policies from so-called school choice to oversight of public school library books, is poised to spark debates as the General Assembly convenes this week in Richmond.
Starting on Thursday, lawmakers will dig deeper into a slate of education bills that include proposals to create publicly funded education savings accounts that parents could use to send their children to private schools, prohibit school officials from changing the names of students on official forms without a change of name order, and maintain a catalog of all printed and audiovisual materials in each school’s library for parents and students to review.
His Star Rising, Youngkin Juggles Local Issues and National Ambition - NY Times
by Trip Gabriell
Gov. Glenn Youngkin headlined a rally on Saturday outside the red-brick City Hall here, urging voters to back a fellow Virginia Republican in a special election for State Senate.
It was part of a broader effort by the governor to use the 2023 session of the Virginia legislature to bolster his conservative credentials and agenda as he tests a possible presidential run in 2024. “I need Kevin in the Senate to help me get it done, so we have to win this election now,” Mr. Youngkin told the crowd, referring to Kevin Adams, the State Senate candidate.