To Have Representation, Republicans Must Participate

Vernon Township Republicans Ask If Democrats Only Represent The Rainbow

(Photo Header of Vernon Township Democrats page of Lake County Democrats website)

In a recent Lake County Gazette Article, VTR Vice Chair Mel Gurel called out elected Democrats in Vernon Township who refuse to state whether or not they support "pediatric gender affirming care". As a recent and radical addition to the "Pride" movement, the practice of chemically and physically altering children in their tweens and teens is finally being widely scrutinized because children simply can not give informed consent to the permanent damage that this "care" provides, frequently resulting in extreme regret later in life. 

Gurel pointed out that when the voters and small business owners in Vernon Township would either choose to not support Pride activities because of this dangerous element, or publicly criticize it, they would routinely be attacked by local activists and groups affiliated with the Pride movement.

In response to this article, Vernon Township Democrats rushed to the defense of one of those mentioned by issuing a statement, which led Vernon Township Republicans to ask if our Democrat representatives ever fight this hard for anyone else in our community on the VTR Facebook page.

In a video on VTR's new You Tube channel, Gurel pressed the question of representation while also putting some blame on Republican constituents who do not vote in smaller elections or run for office themselves.

The elected representatives who signed the letter on behalf of the Pride activists are below. Those in red are up for re-election in 2026:

Adriane Johnson State Senator 

Daniel Didech State Representative

Sara Knizhnik Lake County Board

Marah Altenberg Lake County Board

Tim Kobler Vernon Township Supervisor

Fabbi Vasquez Vernon Township Clerk

Phil Hirsh Vernon Township Trustee

Sheila Sebor Vernon Township Trustee

Gowri Magati Vernon Township Trustee

Marc Sender Vernon Township Trustee

Representative Didech always refers to his constituents who take issue with some of the Pride pillars (kids + drag queens) as "hateful bullies". Whether "always" being an "ally" to the LGBTQ community includes full support of "pediatric gender care" is unclear. Like most of Vernon Township elected Democrats, he refuses to make a direct statement on the issue.