Bishop Leon Benjamin, pastor at New Life Harvest Church in Richmond, said that Virginians spoke up by backing the amendment.

“It was plain that when people cast their vote, they are also casting a lifestyle,” Benjamin said. “Here we are now, and it seems that there is a collision going on, and we just want to avoid the catastrophic results when we go back on what we stand for. The decline of so many things can happen.“

President George Washington refused to allow the practice of homosexuality in his armed forces, said Charles Crismier, a retired attorney from Richmond.

“He called it a perversion that would destroy both the spirit and the ability to perform and be honored by the God that (the soldiers) claim to serve. How dare we impute the integrity of the father of our country?”

The religious leaders at the news conference said that Herring, who had voted for the 2006 amendment but changed his views in recent years, should defend the Virginia Constitution or face impeachment proceedings.

“Herring can change his mind, but he cannot change the Constitution,” said John Sloop, chaplain of the Valley Family Forum in Shenandoah.