NEW: Spanberger Responds to Sears Saying Firing Virginians for Being Gay, Opposing Same-Sex Marriage Is “Not Discrimination”

Spanberger: “The Lieutenant Governor Last Night Showed Virginians That She Is More Focused on Dividing People Than Solving Problems”

**DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO: During Virginia Gubernatorial Debate, Sears Says Firing Someone from Their Job for Being Gay is “Not Discrimination”**

RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today responded to Winsome Earle-Sears saying that her support for firing someone from their job for being gay and her opposition to same-sex marriage are “not discrimination” during last night’s statewide gubernatorial debate at Norfolk State University.

“Virginia families deserve better than a leader who refuses to protect their rights under the law. The Lieutenant Governor last night showed Virginians that she is more focused on dividing people than solving problems,” said Spanberger. “No company wants to grow in a state where the Governor excuses discrimination and supports firing workers because of who they are. Her comments tell businesses and families that Virginia is closed to the talent, investment, and innovation that keeps our economy strong.”

Spanberger continued, “Virginia families deserve to live freely without the worry that their Governor might roll back their rights. Virginians can trust that as their next Governor, I am focused on strengthening our Commonwealth, growing our economy, and bringing down costs for their families — and that I will always protect their equal treatment under the law.”

Click here to watch and download the back-and-forth from the debate at Norfolk State University, and below is the full transcript.

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SPANBERGER: My opponent was asked about her record of discrimination. And importantly, my opponent has previously said that she does not think that gay couples should be allowed to marry.

SEARS: That’s not discrimination.

SPANBERGER: She has said that she was, “morally opposed” to same sex marriage. My opponent has also previously said that she thinks it’s okay for someone to be fired from their job for being gay. That is discrimination.

SEARS: That’s not discrimination.

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BACKGROUND ON SEARS’ EXTREME RECORD

Winsome Earle-Sears has a decades-long, extreme record of opposing marriage equality and equal rights for all Virginians.

During an interview in May, Sears doubled down on her opposition to marriage equality and refused to say that she would support anything other than civil unions for same-sex couples. Earlier this year, Sears left a handwritten note on a bill passed by the General Assembly — which Governor Youngkin signed into law — to protect marriage equality, writing she is “morally opposed” to the legislation.

In a recently unearthed candidate survey, Sears pledged to support letting Virginians get fired for being gay and blocking same-sex couples from adopting children — while also calling homosexuality an “immoral lifestyle choice.”

Sears penned an op-ed saying that “society has gone immeasurably beyond almost all standards in accommodating the homosexual community over the last couple of decades” and called for a constitutional amendment “preserving the institution of marriage to be between a man and a woman.”