Human Rights Commissions are active in many cities throughout Virginia. The HRCs are intended to act as advisory bodies for elected city leaders. They are extremist bastions for far-left activists advancing their progressive agendas. Not only their opinions, but their behavior is also appalling.

Virginia Beach HRC is one of the most revolutionary, but the majority are unaware as they do not stream their meetings. Restoration News requested the videos of the meetings under Freedom of Information Act. We were shocked by what we discovered. The city council appoints commissioners who use their position to advance their personal, extreme leftist goals. Some commissioners’ lack of professionalism, and in some cases criminal acts, put the city into a difficult situation.

A former chair of the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission was forced to resign following charges of domestic violence and attempted malicious injury. In 2024, Sylvia Nery Strickland (current member of the Virginia Beach HRC) threatened Jamal Gunn during a recorded session, saying “Don’t force me to bitch-slap you.”

It gets worse. This is shocking behavior from an organization that advises on human rights. 

The vast majority of HRC members appear to be far-left Democrats, who don’t hesitate to express their political opinions. Ginger Jenkot, chair of the meeting on March 13, 2025, stated that she wanted to concentrate on legislation affecting human rights. She asked her fellow Commissioners to support these efforts – seeming to dictate their own views. Jenkot voiced her disapproval at President Trump’s decision on the ban of transgender members in the military and his elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Another commissioner voiced her disapproval of Robert Kennedy’s investigation on possible links between autism and vaccinations. Vice-chair Gunn was upset that men who identify themselves as women would not be allowed to participate in sports for women, calling the new rule “a solution seeking a problem.”

Kim Melnyk also complained about the requirement for school librarians to go through books and weed out sexually explicit material. Melnyk claimed to also be involved in the Children’s Health Investment Program and expressed concern for illegal aliens who could be deported, saying “we have many families hiding right now. They are not sending their kids to school.” They are in hiding. “They are not documented and are afraid to send children to school.”

Melnyk is listed as a Virginia Beach School Board representative on the CHIP website. Restoration News contacted the school board to get their comments. Rose Dwyer, a board member, said that Melnyk’s personal statements in her role as the school board liaison with the HRC were inappropriate. Kathleen Brown, the Chair of the School Board, stated that the district “doesn’t have a partnership” with CHIP and Melnyk’s “opinions [referenced in the HRC meeting] don’t appear to represent the body corporate” (the school board) of the district. The school board could remove Melnyk from her position as liaison to HRC if she continues to represent her personal views in her official role on the board.

The ACLU made a presentation at an HRC meeting in October 2024. This was not something that the HRC, or the city council could control. Minutes of the January 2025 Meeting reveal that HRC promoted “Lobby day” for Equality Virginia. This far left group promotes LGBT legislation and policies. Does the Virginia Beach City Council approve of its appointed commissioners lobbying for partisan causes using their positions?

Meltdown after Trump won
Virginia Beach HRC met just days after the presidential election of November 2024. The result had them in a complete meltdown. Chair Jenkot said:

I am afraid of my black brothers and sisters who are still being discriminated both overtly as well as covertly. . . I am afraid for my community. For the LGBTQ community. The hatred. My community shares crisis hotlines and suicide hotlines. We could lose marriage equality. It’s frightening.” She then rambles about the importance of creating “safe spaces”, quoting Hillary Clinton’s words: “We are stronger together.”

Carla Hessletine is another HRC Commissioner. She was the former chair of the Democrat Party of Virginia Beach. She became embroiled in controversy after she was fired from her position as party chair for violating by-laws. Hessletine praised Jenkot’s statements, and said: “I am trying to create a safe environment for people.” During this taxpayer-funded meeting, other commissioners shared their opinions including a Hispanic leader. She promoted far-left groups such as Legal Aid Justice Center and the ACLU.

Human Rights Commission City Code

Virginia law allows city governments to create advisory boards and committees. The Virginia Beach City Council created the HRC, which has a governing document that directs on the powers and duties the commission. “To establish, conduct and engage in education and informational programmes for the promotion and fulfillment of human right and mutual understanding among citizens” as well as other duties. The code prohibits lobbying and promoting political agendas.

The Virginia Beach City Council must act to eliminate or completely overhaul the HRC. The HRC is not required by state law, and only a few cities in the state have adopted it. They are clearly being used as a tool to promote far-left extremist viewpoints.