This morning, the New York Times reported that VA-5 congressional candidate Bob Good has launched a series of campaign events targeting and attacking LGBTQ Virginians and the Virginia Values Act. The Virginia Values Act was the first comprehensive non-discrimination bill to become law in the South and provides crucial protections for over 250,000 LGBTQ Virginians. In response, HRC President Alphonso David issued the following statement:

“The 1.3 million Equality Voters across Virginia have no patience for this type of divisiveness and hate. Bob Good might have been able to win a low-turnout party caucus by attacking LGBTQ people, but Virginia voters showed in 2018 and 2019 that attacking LGBTQ people is no winning strategy. Transphobia and anti-LGBTQ attacks are unacceptable. We need leaders like Dr. Cameron Webb in Congress who will bring us together and expand opportunity and rights for everyone, not amplify hate and division.”

BACKGROUND

Claims that the Virginia Values Act intrudes on worship spaces and services is fear mongering. The law does not apply to membership organizations, including religious organizations, when they are serving their members and prospective members. Religious organizations make their own determinations about membership.

In 2019, HRC launched our largest field, digital and direct mail program in Virginia, investing over $250,000 across the state to earn a pro-equality majority in both chambers of the state legislature. During the campaign, LGBTQ non-discrimination protections became a top-tier issue for voters, cited by the Virginia Democratic Party as one of their top legislative goals should they take the majority. After succeeding, our campaign in Virginia pivoted to passing the Virginia Values Act and making Virginia the first state in the South to pass legislation establishing non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people.

According to polling, LGBTQ non-discrimination laws like the Virginia Values Act have overwhelming support amongst Virginians, including a majority of Virginia Republicans.