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SALT LAKE CITY — The home of a Utah state senator who sponsored a bill that bans transgender surgeries for children and teens was vandalized Thursday, drawing criticism from LGBTQ advocates and a conservative group alike.
Sen. Mike Kennedy's garage and driveway were spraypainted with what appears to be a shorthand term for "fascist" and the words "These (a slur for transgender individuals) bash back."
Kennedy, R-Alpine, a family physician, sponsored SB16, which bans transgender surgeries, and places an indefinite moratorium on puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, for children and teens. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed the bill into law in January. Kennedy said the incident would not intimidate him, but did not say whether it was clear who vandalized his home or whether he would press charges.
"I will not be deterred by your cowardly actions," Kennedy said through a spokesperson over text. "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 incident was condemned by both Equality Utah, an LGBTQ advocate organization, and Utah Eagle Forum, a conservative group.
Equality Utah said it condemns the incident and any other violent act, and that such actions do not help LGBTQ Utahns or advance equality but rather harm those efforts.
"As LGBTQ Americans, we know what it is like to be on the receiving end of violence. We know what it is like to fear for our own safety. It is never acceptable to replicate the violent or threatening tactics we have had to endure and target those with whom we have disagreements," the organization said in an email.
"We don't know the ideology of those who vandalized Sen. Kennedy's house. But 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," the statement continued.
Equality Utah also offered support to members of the LGBTQ community who "are frightened by the unprecedented number of bills introduced across the country that directly impact LGBTQ youth," and stressed the importance of continuing to work with lawmakers.
Utah Eagle Forum characterized the vandalism as an attack on conservative values and said its community would not be intimidated by it.
"Despite facing threats to his own safety and that of his family, Sen. Kennedy has stood courageously to defend the children of Utah. The recent vandalism to Sen. Kennedy's home is not only a threat of physical harm, but also attacks the fundamental values that we hold dear as a community," the organization said in an email. "We condemn this cowardly action in the strongest possible terms and pledge to stand together in support of those who work tirelessly to safeguard our children and uphold our shared values."
Groups including the ACLU of Utah and other LGBTQ advocates have continually rallied against SB16. Advocates earlier this year held a protest against it on the steps of the Utah Capitol. A sit-in was also held in front of Cox's office following the approval of the bill. He ultimately signed it into law in late January and it took effect immediately.
