<div>James Lantz (aka Angry Gay Grandpa), a 64 year old LGBTQ youth rights activist and filmmaker, was recently sentenced in state court in Pennsylvania for "criminal mischief" and ordered to pay nearly <strong>$17,000 for protesting a MAGA Republican State Senator</strong> who refused to acknowledge the suicide deaths of five trans youth in his own county.
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<div>In April 2024, James glued his hand to a railing in the Pennsylvania Capitol and confronted <strong>then-State Senator Ryan Aument</strong>, who sponsored, pushed and supported numerous anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including an LGBTQ+ book ban, a trans sports ban, and a "Don't Say Gay" law. James implicated the Senator in creating an environment in which 5 trans youth died by suicide, all within 18 months, and all within Aument’s home base of Lancaster County.
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<div>James says that these suicides could have been prevented. Remembering his time as a closeted gay youth growing up in rural Virginia, he recognized the despair these trans kids were experiencing. He says, "All they need is just a little bit of support. They need an adult in their life, or just an adult anywhere, to listen and say I see you, I support you, and you are loved."
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<div>As a result of his activism, PA ordered him to pay nearly $17,000 in fines and restitution citing damage to their antique furniture from glue James accidentally spilled -- restitution which seems to have been grossly inflated, and seems to be politically punitive.
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<div><strong>The message PA seems to be conveying is: we value our antique furniture more than we value the lives of trans youth.</strong>
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<div>James is a freelance filmmaker, former high school teacher, and adjunct professor. He has prioritized creativity and connection in his life over the pursuit of wealth.
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<div>Please donate to support James so he can support trans and LGBTQ youth!
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<div><a href="https://www.angrygaygrandpa.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.angrygaygrandpa.com</a>
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<div><a href="https://www.advocate.com/news/gay-grandpa-glue-capitol-pennsylvania" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">News Story from Advocate</a>
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<div><a href="https://www.them.us/story/james-lantz-angry-gay-grandpa-pennsylvania-protest-fine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">News Story from Them</a>
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<div><a href="https://www.wgal.com/article/vermont-man-pleads-guilty-after-protest-at-state-capitol-pennsylvania/65339610" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Local PA News Story including Video</a>
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Chesshire Gustafson

Kevin Geiger

Myesha Gosselin

Anonymous

Gretchen Santamour

steve conant

Karen Amirault

Janet Nelson

Robert Bolyard

Noah Ealser

Support James Lantz Trans Youth Activist Ordered to pay $17K

Just $687$ to go! Make an impact.

Support James Lantz Trans Youth Activist Ordered to pay $17K

Just $687 to go!
Make an impact.