“That’s Not Discrimination”: Sears’ Opposition to Gay Marriage, Support for Firing People for Being Gay Becomes Story of Debate

"That's Not Discrimination": Sears' Opposition to Gay Marriage, Support for Firing People for Being Gay Becomes Story of Debate

During the Virginia gubernatorial debate last night, Winsome Sears shockingly doubled down on her opposition to gay marriage and reiterated her support for firing Virginians for being gay, saying that it's "not discrimination."

Virginians are speaking out against Sears and seeing a wave of coverage about her extreme, out-of-touch, and completely disqualifying comments on gay marriage - which she is "morally opposed to" - and employment discrimination.

Here's what they're saying about Sears' support for firing Virginians for being gay:

• WVTF's @BradKutner: "Lots of talk on here of Sears' on same-sex marriage, but 'firing someone for being gay… that's not discrimination' really stood out to me."

• The Bulwark's @SarahLongwell25: "Eh, I'm pretty sure it's discrimination."

• Former Republican Rep. @BarbaraComstock: "In 2025, 10 yrs after the Supreme Court has decided ( in 2015) that gay couples have the right to marry, and @GlennYoungkin signed a bill also supporting this right, @WinsomeSears demonstrates her bigotry once again in tonight's debate (where she also wouldn't stop babbling and talking over everyone when it wasn't her time)"

• The Independent's @EricMGarcia: "Sears also said that being fired for being gay 'is not discrimination'"

• 13News Now's @AlexLittlehales: "Thoughts from VA House Speaker @SpeakerDonScott on Gubernatorial debate in Virginia. On Earle-Sears: 'It was unhinged, unprofessional, uncalled for…' On Spanberger: 'Someone who is poised, professional…'"

And here's what Virginians are reading about Sears' extreme opposition to marriage equality:

• Washington Post: "In one exchange, Earle-Sears disagreed with Spanberger that firing someone for being gay constituted discrimination."

• NBC: "In yet another explosive moment on same-sex marriage, which Earle-Sears has said she is 'morally opposed to,' Spanberger said Earle-Sears 'has previously said that she does not think that gay couples should be allowed to marry.' Earle-Sears interrupted, saying, 'That's not discrimination, that's not discrimination.'"

• Cardinal News: "Earle-Sears has opposed same-sex marriage. When Spanberger brought this up, under a discussion about discrimination, Earle-Sears interrupted to say: 'That's not discrimination.' Ditto the ability to fire someone for being gay. For voters who feel strongly about this, one way or another, this may have been a clarifying moment."

• CNN: "The Democrat also sought to go on offense when she accused Earle-Sears of a history of discrimination, including opposing same-sex marriage, and for saying on a 2004 survey, when she was a congressional candidate, that she opposed workplace protections that include sexual orientation. 'That's not discrimination,' Earle-Sears responded. 'No.' Her comment was noteworthy in part because the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, John Reid, is the first openly gay man to appear on a Virginia GOP ticket."

• Associated Press: "Spanberger then sought to put Earle-Sears on the defensive, noting that the Republican opposes abortion rights and wants to outlaw gay marriage - something Earle-Sears didn't object to … 'That's not discrimination,' Earle-Sears interrupted."

• National Journal: "When Spanberger redirected the GOP nominee's previous statements that same-sex couples should not be allowed to marry, Earle-Sears interrupted to say 'that's not discrimination.'"

• Politico: "The debate frequently bogged down with cross-talk and by Earle-Sears' interruptions of her opponent. Their differences centered around whose party deserves blame for the government shutdown, immigration enforcement, abortion rights and gay marriage - which the lieutenant governor opposes."

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