Comply With Our Values or Pay $100,000 — Virginia's Warning to Every Person of Faith (HJ3)

Before you vote this November, you need to understand exactly what HJ3 is, what it will do, and what it will mean for every Christian, every pastor, every faith-based business owner, and every church in Virginia.

HJ3 is a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot. If passed, it will permanently remove the existing definition of marriage from Virginia's constitution and replace it with a provision recognizing marriage between any two adults regardless of sex or gender.

Same-sex marriage is already legal in Virginia. This is not about legality. This is about elevating same-sex marriage to a constitutionally protected fundamental right — and that single step changes everything for people of faith.

The Real Cost of Following Your Beliefs

Under Virginia's existing Virginia Values Act, any business that declines to serve a same-sex wedding already faces fines of up to $50,000 for a first offense and $100,000 for every offense after that. Photographers, florists, caterers, venue owners, videographers — no one is exempt.

A Virginia Christian photographer named Bob Updegrove spent years in federal court simply to preserve his right not to photograph same-sex weddings. He only secured his freedom after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis — a separate case — that the government cannot compel artists to create messages that violate their beliefs. That ruling gave Updegrove the legal leverage to force Virginia into a settlement. Without the Supreme Court stepping in on that broader case, he likely would have lost.

Now imagine that same fight after HJ3 passes — when same-sex marriage is no longer just legal, but a constitutional right in Virginia. Your religious freedom defense becomes weaker. The fines remain. The lawsuits remain. And the constitution itself is now working against you.

Christian schools, faith-based adoption agencies, churches, and every business owner whose work touches a wedding will feel this shift in the courtroom.

How Did Your Representative Vote?

HJ3 passed 67–31 in the House and 26–13 in the Senate — with nearly every Democrat voting yes and nearly every Republican voting no. Your legislator cast a vote on this amendment. You deserve to know where they stand and why.

Ask them directly: Do you believe elevating same-sex marriage to a constitutional fundamental right is worth the consequences for people of faith? Do you believe the fines under the Virginia Values Act are just? Would you support stronger religious freedom protections for business owners, schools, and churches?

Their answers matter. Contact your representative today — and in November, vote NO like your faith depends on it.

Because under HJ3, it does.