Virginia Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor Ken Cuccinelli said in a debate on Saturday that he stands by his statements that LGBT people have no souls and are inherently “self-destructive.” According to Think Progress, Democratic candidate and former chairperson of the Democratic National Committee Terry McAuliffe repeatedly demanded to know whether Cuccinelli still agrees with his bigoted statements, but the Republican refused to answer until the question was put to him directly by debate moderator Judy Woodruff.

“My personal beliefs about the personal challenges of homosexuality haven’t changed,” he finally said, but promised to create an economic environment favorable to all Virginians. This in spite of the fact that he has adamantly opposed workplace protections for LGBT Virginians.

Cuccinelli has also gained notoriety for his attempts to ban oral and anal sex among all adults in Virginia. He has campaigned volubly against recognition of same sex marriages in the state, opposing all marriage and partnership benefits for same sex couples on the basis that it would be “certain to harm children.”

More: Virginia Republican: I Stand by My Attacks on LGBT People as ‘Soulless’ and ‘Self-Destructive’