RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — proudly endorsed Abigail Spanberger for Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Spanberger’s pro-equality leadership is more important than ever as states across the country, including Virginia, face increased attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and transgender lives. Her candidacy offers Virginians renewed hope for a future rooted in equality, where policies are driven by facts, empathy, and an unwavering belief in human dignity. HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize the more than two million Equality Voters of Virginia.

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“As a dedicated public servant, from her time in the CIA to serving in Congress where she cosponsored the Equality Act, Abigail Spanberger has shown time and time again that she is a champion for the LGBTQ+ community and will fight for all Virginians. She understands that Virginia’s future success depends on the full inclusion and protection of all its people. As Governor, she will work tirelessly to build a Virginia where everyone — regardless of who they are or who they love — can live, work, and go to school with dignity, safety, and opportunity. We are thrilled to support her and mobilize pro-equality Virginians to make her the Commonwealth’s next Governor.” 

Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger shared the following statement:

“I’m honored to earn the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, and I’m ready to work together to build on the progress we’ve made to secure equal protections for all Virginians under the law. Affirming that Virginia is a welcoming home for all families goes beyond protecting marriage equality — it means defending Virginians’ right to live without fear of discrimination or harm. As Governor, I will work to make sure that no Virginian is denied government services, loses a job, or faces any other form of discrimination because of who they love or who they are.” 

Spanberger’s Strong Record Championing LGBTQ+ Rights

• In Congress, Abigail worked tirelessly to advance fairness and equality for all Virginians.
• She fought to pass the Respect for Marriage Act, which became law and codified the recognition of same sex and interracial marriage
• Abigail cosponsored and voted for the Equality Act to protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, housing, education, and public spaces.
• As Governor, Spanberger will work to safeguard the rights of all Virginians and make sure that no member of the LGBTQ community is denied government services, loses a job, or faces any other form of discrimination because of who they love or who they are.
• Spanberger has promised to defend marriage equality and work with the General Assembly to enshrine marriage equality in Virginia’s constitution.  
• Spanberger has committed to  signing legislation guaranteeing Virginians’ right to access contraception and birth control — and protecting against attempts by extreme judges and politicians to roll back Virginians’ reproductive freedoms.

Winsome Earle-Sears’ Anti-Equality Record

• The Youngkin-Earle-Sears Administration rolled back protections for LGBTQ students and implemented guidance that “calls for the misgendering and outing of children in schools where they’re supposed to be safe.” 
• In September 2024, Earle-Sears said she stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the Family Foundation, who filed a legal challenge that same week to overturn Virginia’s ban on conversion therapy.
• Earle-Sears was “emphatically” against same-sex marriage in 2004, and dodged questions about whether she would support a same-sex marriage ban in Virginia as recently as in 2022.
• 2004: In an op-ed, Earle-Sears wrote, “society has gone immeasurably beyond all standards in accommodating the homosexual community.”
• 2022: Earle-Sears attempted to rewrite her hateful history, dodging questions on whether she'd support a ban in VA: "I’ve been on the record as saying that, when it comes to civil unions, I’m all for that."
• 2004: Per the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Sears said marriage should be between a man and a woman.
  • Homosexuality is ‘a matter of behavior,’ not a constitutional right."
• 2004: Earle-Sears wrote in an op-ed, “I emphatically support a constitutional amendment” that would ban same-sex marriage nationally.
• 2021: Campaigned with E.W. Jackson, a failed VA GOP lieutenant governor candidate and pastor who said homosexuality was the “work of the devil.”

HRC’s Commitment to Virginia 

Equality Voters, including the more than 2 million in Virginia, are a voting bloc of demographically and geographically diverse Americans who are united by the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, they recognize and trust the HRC brand, and they are more likely to identify with issue-specific organizations than candidates or political parties.

HRC PAC has made significant on-the-ground investments in Virginia over the years, including supporting a wave of pro-equality candidates in 2019 that led to the 2020 passage of the Virginia Values Act, a law that expanded state nondiscrimination protections for all Virginians, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In doing so, Virginia became the first state in the South to adopt non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. Across the country, HRC PAC works every day to elect pro-equality leaders who support policies that will support the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ people.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC, www.hrc.org.  Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate’s committee.  Authorized by Abigail Spanberger for Governor.