Lana Theis
McMorrow raised $1M in 3 months to flip Michigan Senate
Following an eventful few months in the national spotlight, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) announced Thursday that she has pulled in a more than $1 million fundraising haul to flip the GOP-controlled Michigan Senate. Those funds from more than 11,000 donors came in over the last three months, McMorrow said. “The Michigan Senate has […]
How attacks on drag queens in Howell foreshadowed the right’s national anti-LGBTQ+ push
A seemingly impromptu objection to a scheduled drag queen performance in Howell nearly a year ago has spurred proposed GOP legislation seeking to bar schools from hosting such performances and allowing parents to sue if they do. In early July 2021, Livingston County Republican Party Chair Meghan Reckling posted on Facebook that it was “disappointing” […]
Pride under attack: LGBTQ+ events face uptick in right-wing threats, violence
For the first time since COVID-19 forced Pride events to go virtual in 2020, members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan and elsewhere have been able to celebrate fully in person this year during the month of June. But the comeback of in-person Pride is coinciding with the re-emergence of a dark phenomenon: […]
Nessel calls out Theis over ‘groomers’ comment; says discussion needed to prevent child abuse
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel toured a Livingston County domestic violence shelter this week as part of Denim Day observances, but also used the occasion to comment on a recent controversy over childhood education that has gained national attention. Denim Day was created in 1999 after an Italian court overturned a rape conviction, stating that […]
Susan J. Demas: The far-right’s repulsive ‘groomer’ attack is a clarion call for violence
Earlier this month, Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) used her invocation on the Senate dais to launch a political tirade that children are “under attack” from “forces that desire things for them other than what their parents would have them see and hear and know.” That prompted walkouts from some Democratic senators, so Theis saw an […]
Biden calls McMorrow with praise, Theis continues fundraising off anti-LGBTQ+ comments
State Sen. McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) is still receiving national acclaim for her viral floor speech last week, even receiving on Friday a personal call from President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) sent out another fundraising email after baselessly accusing McMorrow and Democrats of “grooming” and “sexualizing” children. The controversy began on April […]
Theis defends targeting McMorrow in fundraising email with anti-LGBTQ+ attack
State Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) on Thursday defended her fundraising email Monday that accused state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) and other Democrats of “grooming” and “sexualizing” children. But she briefly admitted during a radio appearance that the language was “clunky” and could have been “written differently.” Still, Theis — who quipped she is “having […]
Sen. Barrett fundraising ask claims ‘your child’ is scheduled for gender reassignment surgery
Another Michigan Republican is fundraising off attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and supporters. A fundraising message sent by state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), who is seeking the Republican nomination for the newly drawn 7th Congressional District, claims, “President Biden is forcing 5-year-olds to learn about gender reassignment surgeries, gender identities, and other radical ideas,” adding […]
McMorrow says she can’t work with Theis after ‘hateful’ fundraising email targeting her
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) has had a video of her Tuesday floor speech, which decried a GOP senator attacking her as a “groomer” for backing LGBTQ+ rights, rack up 10.4 million views so far, thanks to retweets from the likes of Hillary Clinton. Last week, McMorrow and two other Democrats walked out during […]
Sen. Runestad defends police shooting Lyoya, mocks reporters as ‘leftist handmaidens’
The Michigan Senate was abuzz with floor speeches on Tuesday. State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) openly mocked and denounced media coverage of a police shooting of an unarmed Black man in Grand Rapids — naming one Detroit Free Press reporter in particular. And state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) slammed state Sen. Lana Theis […]
Sen. Theis slammed for ‘vile’ pedophilia attack against Dems in fundraising email
Updated, 7:47 p.m., 4/18/22 Last week, state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton) stirred up controversy when she claimed during her invocation prior to Senate session that children are “under attack” from “forces that desire things for them other than what their parents would have them see and hear and know.” Appearing to reference Republicans’ national crackdown […]
Sen. Theis’ invocation claiming kids are ‘under attack’ from ‘forces’ prompts walkouts
Updated, 12:14 p.m., 4/18/22 At least three* state senators walked out of session Wednesday in protest of an invocation given by state Sen. Lana Theis (R-Brighton), which appeared to reference Republicans’ national push to crack down on teachings and books that reference LGBTQ+ issues and America’s history of white supremacy. “Dear Lord, across the country […]