Will Virginia Republicans Again Target LGBT Virginians in the 2021 Elections?

A friend has an op-ed in the Virginian Pilot that looks at what I expect will be another round of anti-LGBT bigotry and hate mongering by Republicans in the 2021 election cycle here in Virginia. The top of the Virginia GOP ticket, gubernatorial candidate Glenn Younkin, refers to his "faith" repeatedly in his television ads and is the darling of The Family Foundation, a Virginia based hate group that has worked endlessly to oppose LGBT rights and to make life as miserable as possible for LGBT Virginians. Youngkin's ads talk about restoring "our shared values" which is code language to evangelicals and white supremacists that his goal is to roll back LGBT nondiscrimination protections and voting rights protections.  Indeed, when Youngkin says he wants to bring a new day to Virginia, that new day would be circa 1955.  Voters need to resist the LGBT hate mongering which will soon hit the campaign trail in earnest. Here are op-ed highlights:

June is Pride month celebrating LGBTQ Americans. But there is a shadow cast over much of the equality gains made over the past decade. This year state legislatures across the country have introduced a record number of anti-LGBTQ legislation (more than 250). Most of these horrific bills discriminate against transgender youth — whether by denying them critical health care benefits or prohibiting these young people from participating in sports with their teammates.

Here in Virginia, will Republican candidates champion this type of legislation and parrot former President Donald Trump’s anti-transgender rhetoric this election cycle?

The question at hand is this: Does attacking the LGBTQ community still energize the GOP base and create political points for its candidates? Both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly have razor-thin Democratic majorities, and the House of Delegates and all statewide offices are up for election this November. To what extent will conservatives rely on attacks against the LGBTQ community to turn out their voters?

The recent case of Del. Glenn Davis is illustrative. During his recent (unsuccessful) run for lieutenant governor, Davis was attacked in an anonymous text message and referred to as a “gay Democrat.” Rather than simply refuting that he was either gay or a Democrat, Davis filed a defamation lawsuit over the “gay attack” (Virginia Pilot May 5, 2021).

This case is troubling from a number of perspectives. First, it is possible that the ad was successful and contributed towards Davis being defeated in his lieutenant governor bid. Second, the delegate’s decision to file a defamation lawsuit for merely being called gay, which while incorrect is certainly not slanderous, suggests he felt such a significant step was necessary to distance himself from the charge. . . . Unfortunately, the path to the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor ran through an anti-LGBTQ base which “Trumped” all other considerations.

[W]hy would someone such as Davis, who was previously a self-proclaimed supporter of LGBTQ rights, feel it is necessary to so strenuously object to being called gay? The answer, regrettably, must be that he felt it was crucial to file his lawsuit to appeal to the Republican base and convention voters.

The commonwealth’s political leaders have made great policy strides over the last several years to make Virginia more equitable for its LGBTQ citizens. Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law the Virginia Values Act and eliminated “trans panic” as a line of defense. He also created a Governor’s LGBTQ Advisory Commission, among numerous other pieces of legislation — all of which are long overdue and historic.

Republicans should not seek to create a wedge issue out of LGBTQ rights. The stakes are too high. Peoples’ lives are at risk: 40% of transgender youth report that they have attempted suicide. There is still a long way to go for full LGBTQ rights and inclusion.

The openly LGBTQ leaders who serve with Davis in the General Assembly (Sen. Adam Ebbin, Dels. Mark Sickles, Dawn Adams, Mark Levine and Danica Roem) have done an incredible job serving all Virginians. As the campaign season heats up, Davis and members of his party would be better served by standing in solidarity with their colleagues, and with the thousands of LGBTQ Virginians in the commonwealth — and honor LGBTQ Pride month in June rather than using attack ads which insinuates being gay is a bad thing in the first place. 

I doubt Republicans will heed Lisa's recommendation. The anti-LGBT dog whistle attacks - and open attacks - are likely just beginning.