Virginia GOP Candidate Winsome Earle-Sears Claims Firing People for Being Gay ‘Is Not Discrimination’ in Governor’s Debate

A heated moment during Virginia’s only scheduled gubernatorial debate on Thursday night has placed LGBTQ+ rights at the forefront of the state’s political discourse. Republican candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears asserted that firing an employee for being gay “is not discrimination,” a statement that immediately prompted strong reactions from both within the debate hall and across the state’s political landscape . The debate was held at Norfolk State University and broadcast by WAVY, with moderators frequently trying to maintain order amid repeated interruptions.

The exchange occurred when Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term U.S. Representative, challenged Earle-Sears on her record regarding marriage equality and workplace protections for LGBTQ+ Virginians. Spanberger stated, “My opponent has previously said that she thinks it’s okay for someone to be fired from their job for being gay.” Earle-Sears interrupted, replying forcefully, “That’s not discrimination!” and doubled down when Spanberger referenced marriage equality, again retorting, “That’s not discrimination!” .

Observers noted that Earle-Sears’s comments were not isolated, but reflected a consistent position throughout her recent political career. Earlier this year, Earle-Sears wrote a handwritten note expressing moral opposition to a bill that would prohibit denial of marriage certificates based on sex, race, or gender .

Earle-Sears’s assertion directly contradicts established federal law. In 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled in *Bostock v. Clayton County* that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity . This decision made it unlawful for employers to fire workers because of their LGBTQ+ identity, a point widely recognized by legal experts and civil rights organizations.

Despite these protections, advocates argue that Earle-Sears’s remarks highlight ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ rights, particularly at the state level. Virginia’s own anti-discrimination statutes, enacted in 2020, explicitly prohibit discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity .

LGBTQ+ organizations and allies have condemned Earle-Sears’s comments as not only legally inaccurate but also deeply harmful. Ashleigh Crocker, Interim Executive Director at Progress Virginia, stated, “If Winsome Earle-Sears doesn’t think being fired for being gay is discrimination, what she’s really saying is that LGBTQ+ people don’t deserve the same rights as she does. That’s an appalling stance, and not one we should tolerate in a candidate for Governor” .

National LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have echoed these concerns, warning that rhetoric minimizing workplace discrimination serves to undermine hard-won legal protections and perpetuate stigma. Social media platforms, including Instagram accounts such as @19thnews, quickly amplified video clips of the exchange, bringing broader public attention to the issue .

The debate’s focus on LGBTQ+ issues extended beyond workplace discrimination. Earle-Sears defended her opposition to marriage equality and reaffirmed support for policies restricting transgender students’ access to bathrooms and sports teams consistent with their gender identity, aligning herself with Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order . Critics argue these positions threaten to roll back recent progress for LGBTQ+ Virginians, while supporters say they reflect traditional values.

Spanberger, in contrast, has publicly pledged to uphold and expand protections for LGBTQ+ people in Virginia, emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership and respect for all residents. Her campaign has called Earle-Sears’s remarks “dangerous” and “out of step with Virginians’ values” .

With the gubernatorial race considered a bellwether for national politics, the debate over LGBTQ+ rights is likely to remain a central issue through Election Day. Advocates warn that the outcome could have profound implications not only for Virginians, but for broader efforts to secure and enforce civil rights protections across the country. Legal scholars have underscored that, regardless of political rhetoric, federal law remains clear: discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees is prohibited under Title VII, and further rollbacks at the state level would face immediate legal challenges .

As the campaign continues, both candidates are expected to further clarify their positions on equality and civil rights, with advocacy organizations closely monitoring developments. The debate has highlighted the ongoing need for vigilance and advocacy to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination, and the importance of informed, inclusive leadership in state government.