Richmond, VA — This week, The Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) launched a $100,000 ad campaign warning voters of the threats facing equality and LGBTQ+ rights in Virginia ahead of next month’s legislative elections. The digital ads, which began running Wednesday, are targeting Equality Voters throughout the state.

“As Governor Youngkin panders to extremists in the commonwealth, in service to an agenda of fear and division, we must do all we can to defend equality in Virginia,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “The pro-equality candidates on the ballot will be our line of defense against assaults on the fundamental freedoms of our community, our families, and our youth. Virginians must show up to the polls on or before November 7 and send a clear message: hate will not win.”

Watch the video here

As governor, Youngkin has rolled back protections for transgender students and promised a draconian abortion ban if his allies gain control of the state legislature. Next month’s election will determine the balance of power in Virginia as the battle over LGBTQ+ rights continues to define state legislative politics nationwide.

This year’s investments in Virginia continue HRC PAC’s multi-year efforts to mobilize the Commonwealth’s 1.5 million Equality Voters. In 2020, HRC’s long-term efforts in Virginia culminated in the passage of the landmark bipartisan Virginia Values Act, making Virginia the first state in the South to enact nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Equality Voters, including the more than 1.5 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. 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.

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