Hundreds of people, for and against same-sex marriage, gathered outside the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.
Inside, lawyers for Norfolk couple Tony London and Tim Bostic argued that Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.
They won that argument in a Norfolk courtroom, but the state appealed it. Supporters of the ban say it should be up to states to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
“We recognize that every child deserves as much as possible to know, be loved, and raised by the mother and father that brought them into this world,” says attorney Austin Nimocks.
Lawyers faced vigorous questioning from appeals court judges.
Judge Roger Gregory asked one of the attorneys arguing for Virginia’s ban, “If you care about Virginia’s children, why don’t you want more marriages?”
For London and Bostic, Tuesday’s hearing was another step on a long, legal road.
“When Tony and I filed this suit, it was very personal. We agreed that the time had come not only for us, but for our state,” Tim said.
Legal experts predict the court will rule within the next three months. Both sides have said if they lose, they will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
