Why the right is losing it over Virginia governor’s pick for state’s LGBTQ+ advisory board

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s appointment of an Arlington LGBTQ+ advocate to a state advisory board has drawn right-wing criticism.Kellen MacBeth, president and founder of Equality Arlington, was appointed May 22 to the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, a panel that advises the governor on issues affecting LGBTQ+ Virginians. The appointment was one of dozens Spanberger announced that day across state government, including appointments to boards focused on housing, health, education, public safety, transportation, veterans services, and tourism.“Today’s appointments reflect the depth of talent and dedication that exists across our Commonwealth,” Spanberger, a Democrat, said in the announcement. “Each of these leaders shares my commitment to public service and finding solutions that deliver for communities in every region of Virginia. I know they will strengthen the boards and commissions they are joining.”On Wednesday, the conservative Washington Free Beacon attacked the appointment, accusing Spanberger of embracing “left-wing gender activism” and criticizing MacBeth’s support for transgender and nonbinary students. The outlet also pointed to MacBeth’s advocacy for policies allowing transgender students to participate in school activities and use facilities consistent with their gender identity.Related: Virginia school board adopts anti-transgender policy and blocks LGBTQ+ clubEquality Arlington has urged Arlington Public Schools to resist state and federal efforts targeting transgender and nonbinary students. In a July 28 letter signed by MacBeth as president, the group said those students were “under attack from multiple state and federal sources,” including a U.S. Department of Education investigation into Arlington’s nondiscrimination policy, the Virginia High School League’s ban on transgender girls participating on girls’ sports teams, and a Virginia Department of Education change limiting student gender markers to male and fema