A Republican Utah lawmaker’s home was vandalized this week with messages that point to people who are upset at the lawmaker’s position on certain transgender issues.
Republican state Sen. Mike Kennedy’s door was spray-painted red with the words “fash,” short for fascist, and “These trannies bash back.” Kennedy fired back at the vandals on social media saying:
“To those who seek to use violence, vandalism, and intimidation to deter me from standing up for what is right, let me be clear: you will not succeed. I will not be deterred by your cowardly actions.
“The recent vandalism to my family’s home was not just an attack on me, but on the very principles our state stands for.
“We will not let fear and violence control our destiny.
“As Utahns, we will always stand up and push back against radicals who seek to push their agenda in our state.
“I am more determined than ever to work with the good people of Utah to make our state a better place for all, especially our children, and I won’t back down.”
Equality Utah, the state’s leading LGBTQ advocacy group, said:
“We do not know who participated in this action, but we have been informed this may have been an act of retaliation for his sponsorship of SB 16.
“To the extent this, or any other act of violence or vandalism against our public officials, is related to LGBTQ advocacy, we want to make it clear that Equality Utah condemns these tactics in the absolute strongest terms.
“These heinous acts do not help LGBTQ Utahns.
“They do not advance a climate of equality.
“We have repeatedly asked conservatives to call out extremists on their side, who verbally harass our community and attack our liberties with harmful legislation.
“In return, we now call out and condemn extremists who may identify with our side, who deploy tactics to intimidate and frighten political opponents.”
Equality Utah responds to vandalism directed toward Sen. Mike Kennedy#EqualityUtah #utpol #utleg #lgbtq #trans pic.twitter.com/QWdjUsahEi
— Equality Utah (@EqualityUtah) April 21, 2023
