Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears on Thursday said a lack of marriage rights for same-sex couples and employment protections for LGBTQ people is “not discrimination.”

Earle-Sears made the comment during a debate against her Democratic opponent in the Virginia gubernatorial race, former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, that took place at Norfolk State University. Earle-Sears also raised transgender athletes on high school sports teams and students using restrooms and other facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

“Yes, Lt. Gov. Earle-Sears, that is indeed discrimination,” said Sam Lau, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, on Thursday in response to Earle-Sears’s comments. “Vote for Abigail Spanberger.”

A Washington Post-Schar School poll conducted b

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