RICHMOND — The LGBTQ+ community says same-sex marriage, discrimination and transgender rights are top issues driving their votes this year.
Some attendees at Virginia Pridefest, held Sept. 27, said fear of state and federal actions are motivators in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Actions by the federal government could impact state legislation, and attendees hope elected officials will protect Virginians.
An executive order issued by President Donald Trump on his first day in office states that the government recognizes two biological sexes, defined as male and female.
The current administration of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued school policy in 2022 that transgender students must join sports teams, use bathrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities that correspond with their biological sex.
Youngkin recently issued an executive directive to support the Virginia Board of Health beginning a process to ban transgender athletes from female sports. This follows the U.S. Department of Education finding five Northern Virginia school districts in violation of Title IX for bathroom policies, and threatening funding, according to the Washington Post.
Leilani Dominique Envy and You’neek Nu’york, performers at Pridefest, said the LGBTQ+ community has been fearful of the impact. Envy said the attack on transgender youth is a concern.
“It means that everything that we have, all the freedoms and rights we have, is still questionable for Republicans.” Envy said, “It’s no longer like an inherent right, like it is for everyone else.”
Nu’york said legislators have attacked the community and particularly transgender youth by pushing an agenda which depicts transgender individuals in a way which scares voters. Nu’york wants to see left-leaning elected officials follow through on their promises to both the LGBTQ+ community and minority communities.
“I hope they stand true with their positions and they openly support and defend the LGBTQ community,” Nu’york said.
Nearly 4% of Virginians identify as LGBTQ+, according to the Williams Institute. Both gubernatorial candidates have spoken on issues relevant to this population.
Abigail Spanberger, Democratic nominee for governor, promises to ensure the rights of LGBTQ+ Virginians and support legislation that would enshrine marriage equality in Virginia, according to Spanberger’s campaign website.
Winsome Earle-Sears, Republican nominee for governor, published an opinion piece in the Washington Post stating that transgender and nonbinary bathroom policies in Virginia schools violate Title IX.
At the debate recently held between the candidates, Earle-Sears pushed Spanberger to answer if she would overturn the governor’s executive order banning trans athletes from athletic teams and locker rooms.
Spanberger dodged a direct answer, while Earle-Sears said she would not overturn it.
Crystal Ruiz is an educator in Virginia and was an attendee of Virginia Pridefest. Ruiz hopes elected officials will have a better understanding of who they are representing and be supportive of every Virginian “from any walk of life, no matter what.”
Ruiz said Spanberger will ensure Virginia is a safe place for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
“I appreciate that the upcoming governor Abigail Spanberger will keep my family in mind and make sure that Virginia’s a safe place for us to be,” Ruiz said.
John Hoy and Harley Tomey, attendees at Pridefest, said there is a concern the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn same-sex marriage, after it received a formal request in August. Although Virginia law defines marriage as between a man and a woman, it is not enforceable under Obergefell v. Hodges.
Hoy and Tomey agreed same-sex marriage should be a constitutional right in Virginia. Tomey said Virginia should amend the state constitution to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals cannot be discriminated against.
“I would hope that Virginia was smart enough to elect all three of our elected state officials as Democrats,” Tomey said. “I think they will basically make sure folks are treated equally.”
The General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment in the last session to enshrine same-sex marriage, but it must pass once more in the next session and then voters weigh in at the ballot during the 2026 election.
All 100 House of Delegates seats are up for election this fall. If Democrats lose the majority, the amendment may not pass.
At the recent debate between candidates, Spanberger called out her opponent for past comments against same-sex marriage. Earle-Sears responded saying this was not discrimination. Earle-Sears signed a 2024 bill passed by the General Assembly that says a marriage license cannot be denied based on gender, race or sex with a note saying she was “morally opposed.”
Virginia Pridefest attendee Carolyn Brink has protested the current administration and notices “anger” among the LGBTQ+ community. Brink said transgender rights and bathroom policies are a top concern for her.
“So I feel like we’re coming to a point where it’s not just LBGTQ rights, it’s like human rights,” Brink said.
Brink, wearing a shirt that says “Free Mom Hugs,” said Pridefest is a way for her to funnel her fear and frustration into a rewarding experience.
“Just a subtle anger and ready to fight kind of feeling but also today it feels a little more freeing and a little more like everyone here is just feeling the love,” Brink said.
Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Communication. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.