RICHMOND, Va. — A Christian, conservative nonprofit organization is urging the City of Richmond to shift its focus after the city posted a statement in support of the LGBTQ+ community on social media earlier this week. The statement, which was shared on the city’s official Instagram account on Tuesday, March 4, quickly sparked backlash from some local residents and advocacy groups.
Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation, a conservative organization based in Virginia, voiced concerns that the city government was prioritizing ideological issues over more immediate and practical concerns. “I think most residents in the city of Richmond are looking for their city government to fix their water, to keep their streets safe, and to focus on the things that actually would make the city function well,” Cobb said in a statement.
The post in question was a joint effort between nearly 20 LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and the City of Richmond. It was issued in response to recent executive orders signed by the Trump administration, which the organizations argue threaten the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people. The statement expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the importance of human dignity and the city’s commitment to serving all of its residents.
Julian Walker, the interim press secretary and policy advisor for the City of Richmond, explained that the statement was an important display of support in a time of heightened vulnerability for LGBTQ+ individuals. “The City of Richmond is proud to stand with many LGBTQ+ stakeholders and advocacy groups in expressing support and solidarity with members of these communities,” he said.
James Millner, the Pride Director of Diversity Richmond, which collaborated with the city on the post, also responded to criticism. “It’s no secret that the LGBTQ+ community is under attack,” Millner said. He referred to recent federal policies that he claims have worked to erase trans people from official records and restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare. He stressed that the statement issued by the city and the advocacy groups was meant to show solidarity and to demonstrate resistance against harmful federal policies.
Millner further explained that the impact of these federal actions extends beyond government policies, citing a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and discrimination in both the public and private sectors. He also expressed concern over efforts to roll back recognition and protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. “These attacks have galvanized our community in ways that I have not experienced in nearly three decades of queer advocacy,” Millner said.
However, Cobb disagrees with the emphasis on these issues. She believes that the national election results, which saw the election of President Donald Trump, indicate that Americans are tired of focusing on cultural issues. “I think the outcome of the national election tells you that people are done focusing on all these side issues and they actually just want functional life,” she stated.
In Cobb’s view, the city’s efforts would be better directed toward addressing local challenges such as homelessness and mental healthcare. She expressed concern that Richmond’s focus on LGBTQ+ issues was diverting attention from pressing matters within the city. “We’re spending all this energy still, and we see the City of Richmond kind of doubling down on all this ideology stuff,” Cobb remarked. “I would love to believe that they’re going to focus on the things that are desperately needed in our city.”
As the debate continues, it is clear that this issue reflects broader national tensions surrounding the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the political divides that characterize much of today’s public discourse. While some residents and organizations push for more focus on community-centered concerns, others argue that standing up for marginalized groups is critical in safeguarding fundamental rights.
The City of Richmond’s actions highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs and priorities of a diverse community, especially in a time when cultural and political divisions are more pronounced than ever.
