Winsome Earle-Sears Leads “Life and Marriage Tour” to Oppose Virginia Marriage Amendment

Former Virginia lieutenant governor Winsome Earle-Sears has begun a statewide “Life and Marriage Tour,” traveling to churches, community groups and local leaders to urge voters to reject two proposed constitutional amendments on the November 3 ballot. The amendments would repeal the 2006 Marshall-Newman Amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and block a separate amendment protecting reproductive freedom.

The Advocate

Democratic U.S. Rep. She framed the amendment as a safeguard against reliance on federal court rulings.

The Advocate

Earle-Sears, who previously signed a 2024 Senate bill prohibiting denial of marriage licenses on the basis of sex, gender or race, added a handwritten objection stating she remained “morally opposed” to the legislation. During a 2025 gubernatorial debate, she defended her stance by arguing that firing someone for being gay “is not discrimination,” a comment that later appeared in campaign ads.

The Advocate

The 2025 governor’s race, in which Spanberger defeated Earle-Sears, recorded a 57.6 % to 42.2 % vote split, illustrating the electoral margin behind the current campaign.

The Advocate

• “While Winsome Earle-Sears spends her fall peddling the same anti-LGBTQ+ attacks that Virginians rejected by double digits last year, real families who’ve built lives together will be focused on protecting themselves from government interference and out-of-touch politicians,” — Narissa Rahaman, virginia advocates executive

The Advocate

• “We want to make sure that Virginia families know that here in Virginia, it is not just a Supreme Court decision that protects them, but it is also our state constitution,” — New Abigail Spanberger

The Advocate

• “My opponent has previously said that she does not think gay couples should be allowed to marry,” — New Abigail Spanberger

The Advocate

Voters will decide both amendments on November 3.

The Advocate