21-05-2025
Virginia Republican candidate for governor addresses grads at extremely anti-LGBTQ+ schools
Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, now the Republican nominee for governor, continues to cement her far-right platform with appearances at two schools that openly denounce LGBTQ+ people and reproductive freedom. Her commencement speech at Regent University and an upcoming one at Atlantic Shores Christian School, a private pre-k through 12 institution, are the latest signals that she is not moderating her views for a general election campaign — she's leaning in.
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Regent's official doctrine affirms that marriage exists only between one man and one woman and opposes abortion in nearly all cases, asserting that life begins at conception. Its facilities may not be used for anything deemed inconsistent with its interpretation of biblical teachings, including affirming same-sex relationships or transgender identities. Regents holds that abortion is 'tantamount to murder.'
The school's Christian Community and Mission Policy, approved by its board of trustees in 2023, defines the school as a Christian ministry where every employee is a commissioned minister and every activity, academic or otherwise, is considered an act of worship. The school's policies prohibit 'homosexual conduct,' which they categorize alongside 'pornography, premarital sex, adultery,' and 'lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct,' and require all student leaders and employees to adhere to its biblical code of sexual ethics strictly.
Earlier this month, Earle-Sears spoke at Regent University, where she earned an M.A. in 2003. The late televangelist and longtime anti-LGBTQ+ firebrand Pat Robertson founded the school in 1977.
Related: Winsome Earle-Sears: The anti-LGBTQ+ ultraconservative Republican trying to replace Virginia's governor
Robertson, who launched the school in 1977, didn't just preach it — he politicized it. He infamously blamed 'abortionists, feminists, gays and lesbians' for the 9/11 attacks, saying America had invited God's wrath. These beliefs remain embedded in the culture and code of the university where Earle-Sears chose to deliver a celebratory address.
Earle-Sears is scheduled to stand at the podium again on June 6 — this time at Atlantic Shores Christian School in Chesapeake, another institution whose statement of faith declares that homosexuality and bisexuality are 'sinful and prohibited.'
These are not isolated incidents. They are consistent with Earle-Sears' long record of pushing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy. Last year, she wrote a personal note of moral opposition on HB174, a bill passed by the General Assembly to prohibit marriage discrimination, Washington, D.C., NBC affiliate WRC reports. The bill protects couples from being denied a license based on sex, gender, or race. Earle-Sears, required by her state constitutional role to sign it, instead added a handwritten message declaring her personal opposition.
Related: Virginia lieutenant governor offers awkward 'apology' after misgendering trans lawmaker Danica Roem
Her campaign has also made national headlines for an incendiary fundraising email comparing DEI programs to slavery.
'Slaves did not die in the fields so that we could call ourselves victims now,' the email read. The campaign did not disavow the language. Video from 2023 shows her delivering the same message aloud, Politico reports.
At the same time, the state GOP is embroiled in a separate identity crisis.
John Reid, Virginia's first out gay Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, has accused Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin's political operation of attempting to force him off the ticket. Reid alleges Youngkin's PAC offered to suppress opposition research in exchange for his withdrawal — claims Youngkin has not addressed. Earle-Sears canceled joint events with Reid.
Last year, Earle-Sears apologized after she misgendered Sen. Danica Roem, the first out transgender state senator in Virginia.
Virginia currently has some of the strongest LGBTQ+ protections in the South.
