Kiara Wade, of LaPorte, tempts her dog Freya with a treat as Shelley Gurevitz, left, and Jessica Cabiness, right, watching. The three were in front of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts protesting “shock jock” Shaun Thompson, the keynote speaker for a fundraiser the Munster Republican Central Committee held for U.S. District 1 Republican Congressional candidate Randy Niemeyer on June 29.
“The LGBTQ community and Black Americans are under constant attack, and we’re seeing an event for perpetuating these lies,” Dean said. “I’ve met Randy, and he comes off as being for the Region, but I don’t think he’s out in the Region enough, because there are a lot of people who are accepting and want someone who’s welcoming and not espousing hate.”
Kiara Wade, a transgendered woman from LaPorte, is a former Marine who served under the policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. She wanted to ask the attendees what rights they’ve had legislated away.