Republican Lawmaker’s Home Vandalized In Utah

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.”

The state’s top LGBTQ advocacy organization, Equality Utah, claimed that while they are unsure of who took part in the incident, they have been told that it may have been reprisal for his sponsorship of SB 16. 

They want to be clear that Equality Utah strongly condemns this strategy and any other acts of violence or vandalism against public figures that are connected to LGBTQ advocacy.

“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.”