The Family Leader has responded to a comic book unveiled Tuesday at the Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth that portrays the group’s leader as a villain. The comic book created by the leader of the liberal advocacy group Progress Iowa uses a villain modeled after The Family Leader’s president, Bob Vander Plaats, in what is billed by the group as an anti-bullying message.
The Family Leader statement says the group is concerned that the comic book sends a message that students will be “ostracized and demonized” when they express values and beliefs different from those promoted by Progress Iowa.
Progress Iowa’s executive director Matt Sinovic says it’s okay to target The Family Leader because the group is large and uses “political bullying” to ostracize those they don’t agree with.
The Family Leader statement says bullying anyone for any reason is never acceptable.
“Rather than fostering civility and understanding over our disagreements, these immature tactics fuel division, destructive behavior, and victimization,” The Family Leader’s statement read.