Sedgwick County Republican chair distances herself from party’s ‘bizarre’ Pride tweet
The Sedgwick County Republican Party chair says she doesn’t stand by a now-deleted post on the party’s official Twitter account likening the celebration of Pride Month to mass psychosis, when a large portion of society loses touch with reality.
“As you watch the celebration of ‘Pride Month,’ take note of the methods of their attempts to control the narrative,” read the June 2 tweet, which linked to a 20-minute YouTube video about government brainwashing.
“I have no idea where that post came from. I’m trying to figure it out,” Chair Deb Lucia told The Eagle, speculating that the party’s account may have been hacked.
The county Republicans tweeted a link to another video from the same YouTube creator less than a week before the post in question.
Lucia said “just a couple” people have posting access on the party’s official social media pages but would not say who they are.
“It’s totally offensive. I mean it’s ridiculous. That’s not what we’re about at all,” she said.
Lucia said county Republicans have no official stance on Pride Month, which is celebrated annually in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots that were a turning point in the U.S. gay liberation movement.
“It’s just not our focus,” Lucia said.
Dalton Glasscock, a former chair of the county party who is openly gay, said whoever made the post should face consequences.
“I’m confident the current chairwoman is not the one who tweeted this, but whoever did should not have access to any property of the party, nor any posting rights,” Glasscock said.
Lucia said that when she first saw the tweet, she didn’t realize it was posted on the party’s page.
“First of all, it’s a bizarre post,” Lucia said. “My first reaction, I was going, ‘What am I looking at?’ And then I see that it was our little logo.”
The June 2 post also included a graphic referencing a Cherokee proverb. “Inside each of us are two wolves. One is Evil. One is Good. Which wolf wins? The one you feed the most.”
“It’s time to feed the wolf . . . Recognize the mass psychosis that is happening,” read the tweet, which was deleted on Sunday.
The same wolf graphic was used in a May 27 tweet on the county Republican page linking to a video titled “Equity: The Thief of Human Potential - Thomas Sowell.”
Lucia said the episode should not give people the idea that the Republican party is intolerant of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Our focus is for people to be free, for one thing,” Lucia said. “We’re the party of freedom, and so you should be free to be doing what you want to do as long as it doesn’t impose on somebody else’s rights.”
“As Americans, we can passionately debate policy, but we must remember our shared humanity,” Glasscock said. “Inclusive parties strengthen our system of government. All of our parties should welcome diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.”
The Sedgwick County Democratic Party took to social media on June 1 to celebrate pride month.
“To the LGBTQ+ community: we will always stand with you and fight for your rights. Happy pride!” the post reads.
