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Written by Brett Curtis (Curry '18, MPP '19) and Jackson Samples (CLAS '20) Just recently, a small group of LGBT Virginians formed with the express purpose of electing Lieutenant Governor candidate Jill Vogel, a Republican State Senator. The group, “LGBT Virginians for Vogel”, makes the astonishing and farfetched claim that she is “the best candidate to represent the LGBT community.” Frankly, to make such an assertion is insulting, and looking at her record, it is evident that her election would be a significant step back for Civil Rights of all Virginians in the Commonwealth. While Senator Vogel touts her time in the Senate as a selling point of her candidacy, her tenure has been characterized by votes that work to render LGBTQ+ individuals as second class citizens. As recently as 2016, Vogel voted for a religious freedom bill which would specifically allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals that seek to marry legally under the law. In 2012, Vogel voted for HB189, which permits child-placing agencies to refuse to place a child in the care of a gay couple and furthermore prohibits state or local governments from denying child-placing agencies funding because of such policies, no matter how homophobic or transphobic they are. Senator Vogel also voted against SB66, which would have made it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ Virginians when they apply for state government jobs, and against SB747 which aimed to prohibit discrimination in state employment on the basis of sexual orientation. Often without any explanation, Vogel has voted to enshrine bigotry in policy and public funding, a direct attack on LGBTQ+ rights. It is hypocritical for Vogel to claim she “opposes all discrimination” while simultaneously standing for legislation that promotes the discrimination of LGBTQ+ Virginians. Worse, she shamefully hides behind party line votes in making legislative decisions and refuses to fully condemn all attempts to deny LGBTQ+ individuals equal protection under the law. This renders her campaign slogan - “Principle before party”- meaningless. "It is hypocritical for Vogel to claim she “opposes all discrimination” while simultaneously standing for legislation that promotes the discrimination of LGBTQ+ Virginians."
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