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Controversial member of Va. governor’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board resigns

Casey Flores criticized over series of offensive tweets

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Casey Flores (Screen capture via Faithful Politics Podcast YouTube channel)

A newly appointed member of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, tasked with counseling the governor on matters and actions connected to the state’s LGBTQ community, has resigned prior to beginning his tenure on the job.

Virginia Log Cabin Republicans President Casey Flores garnered controversy in the weeks leading up to his appointment over his past online rhetoric that included assertions that some LGBTQ activists have sought not to advance equality for the community, but rather to groom children.

In one such instance, following a viral video of Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow responding to claims from fellow state Sen. Lana Theis that her support for the LGBTQ community was an attempt to promote grooming and sexualization of young children, Flores reiterated the claim.

“I’m gay – and you’re pro-groomer,” Flores tweeted. “Stay away from my future kids, plz.”

In other instances, Flores has engaged in controversial rhetoric directed at public officials on the national level, referring to U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) as a “fugly slut” and asserting that Vice President Kamala Harris had used sexual activity as the means by which she was able to ascertain her position.

It remains unclear as to whether Youngkin’s office prompted Flores to resign. A spokesperson for the Republican governor this week did not return the Washington Blade’s request for comment.

Flores himself, however, has contrasted the narrative that he was urged behind closed doors to resign.

He has publicly denied those claims, saying he resigned because he is moving to Florida with his partner, David Leatherwood.

“I would not have resigned for any other reason other than moving,” Flores told the Advocate.

State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) told the Blade that he welcomed Flores’ resignation.

“Mr. Flores’ divisive and embarrassing statements were disqualifying and I am glad the decision was made for him to step down — sparing the governor the embarrassment of another scandal by one of his unqualified nominees,” Ebbin said. “I hope in the future Gov. Youngkin will do a better job vetting the character and conduct of potential gubernatorial appointments.”

Others said they hope Flores’ departure will not disrupt the board’s work.

Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman told the Blade that she would like for the board to maintain stability and focus amid Flores’ swift departure.

“I hope the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board can remain free from distraction and can focus on the many pressing issues facing LGBTQ+ people in the commonwealth: Protecting the most marginalized in our community from harm and discrimination; creating safe, affirming schools for transgender and non-binary students; and making sure Virginia stays a welcoming place for everyone,” Rahaman said.

Flores since his resignation has amplified rhetoric pushing back against certain messaging from LGBTQ activists, including on healthcare for transgender youth at a time when such has become a topic of national political debate.

“‘Gender affirming care’ is just a nice way to say genital mutilation and child sterilization,” Leatherwood wrote in a tweet that Flores then retweeted.

Michael K. Lavers contributed to this story.

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Virginia

Winsome Earle-Sears ‘Life and Marriage Tour’ to include Northern Va. stops

Voters to consider marriage equality, reproductive rights referenda in November

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Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has announced her campaign against efforts to enshrine marriage equality and reproductive rights in the state constitution will make several stops in Northern Virginia.

Her “Life and Marriage Tour” will include stops in Manassas, Winchester, and Harrisonburg. Earle-Sears said the “Life and Marriage Tour” will also travel to Virginia Beach, Lynchburg, Roanoke, Charlottesville, and other cities across Virginia “throughout September and October.”

The announcement did not include specific dates.

“Virginia, you’ve been asking where the Life and Marriage Tour is headed — here’s a look at our current tour locations,” she said on X on Tuesday. “We’ll be traveling across the commonwealth throughout September and October, and we’re still building the journey.”

Current Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, last November defeated Earle-Sears, a Republican, in the race to succeed Republican Glenn Youngkin.

Voters in 2006 approved the Marshall-Newman Amendment, which defined marriage in Virginia as between a man and a woman.

Same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Virginia since 2014. Youngkin a decade later signed a bill that codified marriage equality in state law.

Two successive legislatures must approve a proposed constitutional amendment before it can go to the ballot.

Spanberger signed bills that finalized the marriage equality and reproductive rights referenda’s language.

The referenda will take place on Nov. 3.

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Doug Ollivant to face Eugene Vindman in Va. 7th Congressional District

Republican defeated challengers in Tuesday’s primary

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<strong.Doug Ollivant (Screen capture via @DougForVirginia/YouTube)

Republican Doug Ollivant will face off against incumbent U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.

Ollivant defeated his Republican opponents in Tuesday’s primary. Vindman ran unopposed.

Vindman in 2024 ran to succeed then-Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger in the U.S. House of Representatives after she ran for governor. Spanberger succeeded Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2025.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) on Tuesday easily won his primary. All other Democratic incumbent members of Congress from Northern Virginia also won their respective primaries.

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Winsome Earle-Sears launches campaign against Va. marriage equality amendment

Former LG lost to Abigail Spanberger in 2025 gubernatorial race

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Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Less than a year after losing Virginia’s gubernatorial race, former Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is campaigning across the state against constitutional amendments that would protect marriage equality and reproductive freedom.

She is launching a statewide “Life and Marriage Tour” ahead of November’s election.

Although same-sex couples can legally marry under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, Virginia’s constitution still contains language that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Supporters say removing the language would protect marriage equality should federal precedent change.

The original ban was written into the state constitution in 2006. 

It has been hinted at in the past by Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas that he would consider revisiting Obergefell v. Hodges regarding contraception and marriage rights for same-sex couples. He stated this in his concurring opinion regarding the Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which allows for state-level abortion bans.

Equality Virginia Executive Director Narissa Rahaman said removing the ban would bring the state’s constitution in line with existing law.

“20 years after banning marriage equality, it’s time for our commonwealth to fully complete our evolution — and finish the job on protecting marriage equality for all,” Rahaman said.

In an email to supporters, Earle-Sears said these amendments “raise serious concerns” and could alter principles about which Virginians care.

“That is why our efforts are focused not only on informing voters, but also encouraging them to carefully consider these proposals and vote NO on both amendments,” Earle-Sears said.

Virginia voters will consider three constitutional amendments this November.

Earle-Sears is campaigning for voters to reject two of them: the Virginia Remove Constitutional Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment and the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment.

A “Yes” vote on the Same-Sex Marriage Ban Amendment would include removing a provision that states marriage is between one man and one woman and prohibitng the state from denying a marriage license to two adults based on their sex, gender, or race, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.

In 2025, during debates against now Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Earle-Sears argued it is not discrimination to think that gay people should not be allowed to marry. She claims it conflicts with her faith.

According to ABC 8, in 2024 she wrote that she had a “moral opposition” to marriage equality, after former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, signed a marriage equality bill that barred denying marriage licenses based on sex, gender, or race.

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, a “Yes” vote on the Reproductive Freedom amendment supports adding a section to the state constitution that would give Virginians the right to make and carry out decisions regarding reproductive healthcare, except in specific exemptions.

The Virginia Department of Elections wrote that if accepted, the amendment would allow the state government to pass laws to regulate abortion care in the third trimester of pregnancy, but require abortion care when it is medically needed to protect the life and health of the pregnant person or because the fetus is not viable.

During the 2025 election cycle, Earle-Sears was clear on her anti-abortion stance.

According to the Virginia Independent, she utilized campaign funds to donate to the Family Foundation of Virginia. The group is a faith-based, anti-abortion, and anti-in vitro fertilization non-profit.

The “Life and Marriage Tour” will include traveling throughout Virginia to speak with citizens, churches, community organizations, and local leaders. The exact locations have yet to be announced.

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