Denounce Lt. Gov. Beckwith's Hateful Rhetoric

I am writing to express my profound disappointment and strong condemnation of Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith's recent controversial rhetoric surrounding Pride Month, which he indicated he does not plan to change. His statements, such as "The Rainbow Beast is coming for your kids!" and "This isn’t about ‘tolerance.’ It’s a state-corporate-pagan alliance to reprogram society," are deeply concerning and harmful. Lt. Gov. Beckwith's defense that his issue is primarily with "certain leaders within the LGBTQ+ community" and those using "public dollars to fund Pride Month-related activities" does not excuse the impact of his words. He claims that "LGBTQ+ ideologues are pushing their agenda on people who don’t want it," and that he has a problem "when you start to force others to affirm you in that lifestyle". While he states "Everyone’s welcome in Indiana" and that he is "not saying you can’t live the lifestyle you want," his rhetoric directly contradicts this sentiment. His assertion that "everybody is fearfully and wonderfully made" but this "doesn’t mean that someone is right in their thinking" is used to justify deeply hurtful characterizations, as evidenced by his reply to a mother that her transgender child was "confused," which drew jeers. Such language perpetuates outdated and harmful stereotypes. LGBTQ+ advocates, including Zoe Berne of Indiana Youth Group, have warned that a public official using such language "gives cover to other people to use similar anti-LGBTQ+ language," and her organization has already observed a noticeable rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech. Beckwith's words are hurtful and phrases like "government-sanctioned grooming" serve as a dog whistle. I urge you to officially denounce Lt. Gov. Beckwith's divisive and hateful rhetoric. His words are not merely an expression of opinion; they contribute to a climate of fear and intolerance for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. Public officials should be fostering an environment where "everyone’s welcome in Indiana" is truly upheld, not undermined by harmful and prejudiced statements. Please commit to language that promotes understanding, respect, and inclusivity for all constituents in Indiana.