I recently had a troubling social media exchange with local politician Dwayne Yunker, who is likely to be elected due to lack of competition. This interaction has left me deeply concerned about the type of representation our community will have in Salem.
The controversy began when Yunker made national news with his attacks against the LGBTQ+ community, specifically calling all drag queens “pedophiles.” This blanket, discriminatory statement has never been retracted or apologized for. When criticized, Yunker doubled down on his position, citing the lack of rebuke from Republican leadership as implicit support.
Such rhetoric from an elected official is deeply problematic. It demonstrates a concerning lack of compassion and humanity towards a diverse group of individuals. Moreover, it sets a dangerous precedent for targeting and dehumanizing minority groups. This approach reflects poorly on the Republican Party, suggesting tacit approval of discriminatory views.
The situation was further exacerbated by the response of Candy Kaiser, the communications chair of the local Republican Party. Kaiser publicly endorsed Yunker’s stance, claiming he was “one of the few who would stand up and say what was right.” This endorsement effectively agreed with Yunker’s characterization of drag queens as pedophiles, amplifying the harm caused by his initial statement.
Given the gravity of their words and actions, both Yunker and Kaiser should issue public apologies to the LGBTQ+ community for their harmful comments. Furthermore, they would benefit from undergoing training in positive human relations to understand the impact of their words and learn not to judge individuals based on group identity. The local Republican Party should also reconsider its stance on such divisive rhetoric, as it alienates a significant portion of our community and goes against principles of inclusivity and respect.
The LGBTQ+ community in Josephine County, like all members of our community, deserves equal respect and dignity. Demonizing any group based on their identity is unacceptable, whether it’s the LGBTQ+ community, Jewish people, or any other group. As potential leaders, Yunker and Kaiser have a responsibility to foster unity and understanding, not division and hatred. Their words and actions have far-reaching consequences, and it’s crucial that they recognize the power they wield and use it to bring people together rather than drive them apart.
In conclusion, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of electing officials who represent all members of our community with fairness and respect. It’s my hope that by bringing attention to this issue, we can spark a meaningful dialogue about the kind of leadership we want and need in Josephine County.