A new generation Republican: Openly gay congressional candidate appears hand-in-hand with partner in campaign adverts
First: Carl DeMaio is the first congressional candidate to appear with his same-sex partner in a campaign ad
Campaign: Openly gay politician Carl DeMaio, left, appeared hand-in-hand with his partner in the campaign advert which highlighted his commitment to 'diversity and equality'
Diverse: Carl DeMaio, centre, emphasised his desire to defend 'personal freedoms' during the campaign advert which featured him draped in a rainbow flag
Reformer: Carl DeMaio, centre in the blue shirt, pitched the campaign advert to emphasise his ambition to reform politics
- Carl DeMaio is running for Congress in Southern California in 2014 election
- 39-year-old trumpeted his commitment to 'diversity and equality'
- He is the first candidate to feature alongside his same sex partner in a campaign advert
First: Carl DeMaio is the first congressional candidate to appear with his same-sex partner in a campaign ad
Campaign: Openly gay politician Carl DeMaio, left, appeared hand-in-hand with his partner in the campaign advert which highlighted his commitment to 'diversity and equality'
Diverse: Carl DeMaio, centre, emphasised his desire to defend 'personal freedoms' during the campaign advert which featured him draped in a rainbow flag
Reformer: Carl DeMaio, centre in the blue shirt, pitched the campaign advert to emphasise his ambition to reform politics
[h=1]Virginia becomes first state in the south to rule that same sex marriage ban is unconstitutional… although couples will still have to wait to tie the knot
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- Ruling not effective until appeal concludes by opponents of gay marriage
- Virginia is second state in the south to issue a ruling recognizing the legality of gay marriage but first to overturn ban
- Many believe case will reach U.S. Supreme Court amid protracted legal battle
Virginia yesterday became the first state in the southern U.S. to overturn a ban on same-sex marriage, a victory for gay and lesbian campaigners in a socially conservative part of America.
U.S. federal Judge Arenda Wright Allen ruled that a ban was unconstitutional. However, gay couples in Virginia will still not be able to marry because the ruling is pending appeal by opponents of gay marriage.
'The court is compelled to conclude that Virginia's Marriage Laws unconstitutionally deny Virginia's gay and lesbian citizens the fundamental freedom to choose to marry,' Justice Wright Allen wrote in her ruling.
'Government interests in perpetuating traditions, shielding state matters from federal interference, and favoring one model of parenting over others must yield to this country's cherished protections that ensure the exercise of the private choices of the individual citizen regarding love and family,' she added.
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Demonstrators protest for equal marriage outside the Walter E. Hoffman U.S. Courthouse in Norfolk, Virginia, which has overturned a ban on the custom
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Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has said same-sex marriage makes Virginia a better place
Anti-gay marriage campaigners have voiced their objection to the ruling
U.S. federal Judge Arenda Wright Allen ruled that a ban was unconstitutional. However, gay couples in Virginia will still not be able to marry because the ruling is pending appeal by opponents of gay marriage.
'The court is compelled to conclude that Virginia's Marriage Laws unconstitutionally deny Virginia's gay and lesbian citizens the fundamental freedom to choose to marry,' Justice Wright Allen wrote in her ruling.
'Government interests in perpetuating traditions, shielding state matters from federal interference, and favoring one model of parenting over others must yield to this country's cherished protections that ensure the exercise of the private choices of the individual citizen regarding love and family,' she added.
Scroll down for video
Demonstrators protest for equal marriage outside the Walter E. Hoffman U.S. Courthouse in Norfolk, Virginia, which has overturned a ban on the custom
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has said same-sex marriage makes Virginia a better place
Anti-gay marriage campaigners have voiced their objection to the ruling
Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring has said every Virginian deserves to be treated equally and fairly
Virginia ruled that its ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and it will no longer be defended in federal lawsuits
People in Norfolk Virginia protest against same sex marriage outside the Walter E Hoffman courthouse earlier this month
