In a recent development, Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration in Virginia has come under scrutiny for quietly removing information about services catering to LGBTQ+ youth from a state website. The decision, which occurred after the Daily Wire, a right-wing media outlet co-founded by anti-LGBTQ+ commentator Ben Shapiro, raised questions about these resources, has sparked controversy and confusion within the state government.
The LGBTQ Resources for Youth page, linked to the Virginia Department of Health’s website, offered valuable online resources for queer youth, including informative entertainment through a platform called Queer Kid Stuff and live, facilitated chats via Q Chat Stuff. However, following the Daily Wire’s inquiry on May 31, the entire page was promptly removed by the state government.
Internal emails obtained by the Virginia Mercury shed light on the situation, revealing that department leaders were taken aback by the decision, as they had not been informed or consulted about it. Emily Yeatts, a supervisor for the Department of Health’s Division of Child and Family Health, expressed her confusion in an email to staff, questioning whether anyone had requested the removal. Vanessa Walker Harris, director of the Office of Family Health Services, also voiced concerns about the sudden inaccessibility of the webpage and expressed dismay at the lack of engagement with subject matter experts.
This incident is not the first time Governor Youngkin’s administration has made such unilateral decisions. The Washington Post reported that information on various topics, including abortions, sexual health, and pregnancy, has been stripped from the government health website without consulting subject matter experts. Equality Virginia, an advocacy organization, described the removal of LGBTQ+ resources as “craven and politically motivated.” The decision is seen as a reflection of a pattern prioritizing the appeasement of an anti-LGBTQ+ political base over serving the LGBTQ+ community.
Governor Youngkin’s spokesperson, Macaulay Porter, defended the decision, citing the governor’s emphasis on parents’ rights and stating that children belong to their parents, not the state. Porter added that age-appropriate resources are supported but facilitating anonymous conversations between adults and children without parental approval is not appropriate for a taxpayer-supported website. However, Equality Virginia expressed disappointment with the removal, viewing it as yet another instance where LGBTQ+ Virginians are disregarded for political gain.
This incident underscores a broader trend seen among conservative politicians and right-wing groups, who often mask attacks on LGBTQ+ rights as the protection of familial rights or the safeguarding of children. Similar battles have been fought over issues like discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in schools, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ books in educational curricula, and the hosting of family-friendly drag queen story time events. These instances highlight the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and equality faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
In conclusion, the removal of LGBTQ+ youth resources from Virginia’s state website has sparked a heated debate surrounding the governor’s actions and the prioritization of parents’ rights over the needs and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. The incident has once again brought attention to the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in their fight for equal rights and representation.