GOP gubernatorial candidate can’t bring himself to say marriage equality is legal

GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin campaign with Sen. Ted Cruz
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GlennYoungkin/photos/288169462963039

Glenn Youngkin, who just last month became the Republican nominee for Governor in Virginia, must think it’s 2004.

It’s bad enough that Youngkin has made anti-trans attacks part of his campaign schtick. Now he’s dodging and weaving on a long-settled issue: marriage equality.

Related: Caitlyn Jenner refuses to say Donald Trump lost the election & dodges question on trans rights

Asked by the New York Times if he supports marriage equality, Youngkin “declined to say.” Instead, he used a generic “conservative” label to describe himself without actually describing any of his policy proposals.

At this stage of the game, most Republicans acknowledge that, like it or not, marriage equality is the law of the land. Even Donald Trump, who has endorsed Youngkin, has said so. The focus of most Republicans now is to instead carve out broad exemptions to LGBTQ rights under the guise of religious liberty.

Youngkin’s refusal to accept marriage equality provided an easy opportunity for his opponent to criticize him for. Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe, who has previously served as governor, has a long track record of support for LGBTQ rights. He even officiated at a same-sex wedding in 2014.

“While Terry McAuliffe is committed to advancing LGTBQ equality and building a better future for all Virginians, Glenn Youngkin is representing the reprehensible bigotry and exclusion of a bygone era,” Manuel Bonder, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Virginia, told LGBTQ Nation in a statement.

“Youngkin has repeatedly made clear that he…

Read full story, and more, from Source: GOP gubernatorial candidate can’t bring himself to say marriage equality is legal