"In 2004, when Earle-Sears unsuccessfully ran for congress, she completed a now-archived candidate questionnaire in which she indicated she would vote against same-sex couples adopting children, and employee discrimination laws, would not hire "homosexual activists", and backed the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. She also ticked a box asking if homosexuality was an "immoral lifestyle choice"."
"At the Virginia gubernatorial debate at Norfolk State University, Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears caused controversy by claiming that allowing employers to fire individuals for being gay "is not discrimination." Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger cited Earle-Sears's long record opposing LGBTQ+ rights, including her resistance to marriage equality and workplace protections. Before Spanberger could finish, Earle-Sears interjected, prompting immediate backlash. Earle-Sears has previously opposed bipartisan marriage equality legislation, even leaving a handwritten note expressing she was "morally opposed.""
Winsome Earle-Sears, Virginia lieutenant governor since 2022 and Republican gubernatorial candidate, said that firing someone for being gay or opposing marriage equality "is not discrimination." The remark occurred during a debate at Norfolk State University on 9 October. Records from a 2004 candidate questionnaire show she opposed same-sex couples adopting, opposed employee discrimination laws, said she would not hire "homosexual activists," supported defining marriage as between one man and one woman, and labeled homosexuality an "immoral lifestyle choice." Earlier this year she left a handwritten note stating moral opposition to anti-discrimination legislation that barred officials from denying marriage licences.
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