Republican candidate Josh Mandel has reached the point in his campaign where he has begun personally attacking teenagers to score political points.
TikToker @fleshlythings (formerly @themthembian) regularly posts videos about topics that are important to them, including de-stigmatizing mental illness, autism awareness, and queer issues, as well as documenting their journey with a chronic illness.
Earlier today, Mandel tweeted a video the 18-year-old that was first uploaded to TikTok last November. In it, they talk about pronouns and say that, if you’re not comfortable using another person’s pronouns, “Don’t interact with them and just shut up about it!”
Unfortunately, Mandel didn’t listen to that sound advice. Because rather than just shut up about it, he chose to tweet the video along with the caption: “This is what liberals want to teach our kids.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
This is what liberals want to teach our kids. pic.twitter.com/gr7pxcThdF
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) August 3, 2021
To be clear: Here we have a 43-year-old man running to be a U.S. Senator using his social media platform to mock an 18-year-old for talking about queer issues.
This isn’t the first time Mandel has gone after nonbinary people on Twitter. He’s been on a bit of a tear recently, tweeting all sorts of nonsense about gender identity, pronouns, and his own personal definition of “science.”
Stop the insanity.
There are only 2 genders.
Boys ?????
Girls ?????https://t.co/5fur06fZwo— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) July 25, 2021
If they were so good at “science” they would know the difference between a boy and a girl.@JennaEllisEsq absolutely correct:
We don’t have to comply. https://t.co/Afpa3HPV9X
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) August 2, 2021
There are only 2 genders. Science.
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) July 24, 2021
I just saw they/them in someone’s bio. What in the world does that mean?
— Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) July 21, 2021
Here’s how people are responding to Mandel attacking a teenager…
“If you dont like it just dont interact with them” pic.twitter.com/JdlYlL31BV
— Saitarded (@RUShibbinMe) August 3, 2021
What do you want to teach them besides xenophobia, misogyny and bigotry?
— Sho’Nuff (@ShoNuff0385) August 3, 2021
Mandel’s plan to run as the most mentally unstable senate candidate continues.
— Kathi Domalski (@katdomalski) August 3, 2021
Oh no, so scary. Children learning things. Let me get the fainting couch. 🙄
— Tricky Nick (@279_nick) August 3, 2021
And this is what you want to teach our kids pic.twitter.com/ndGvYKrzCj
— Secular Democrats of Ohio (@DemsOhio) August 3, 2021
Better than teaching them to be white supremacist insurrectionists
— Glenn Frese (@GlennFrese) August 3, 2021
This is false and you know it. You are just trying to rev people up with your ENDLESS culture wars, which is basically the only strategy the GOP has. You are such a loser, truly. Be better.
— Jessica (@jzjd0) August 3, 2021
Have you ever once posted your vision for Ohio or is it all just culture war bullshit like this?
— Ray (@SRS1428) August 3, 2021
More of your sick obsession with kids. It’s creepy, bub. Get help.
— JenYoung (@readreadready) August 3, 2021
Better to have a guy living in his mom’s basement while living a cosplay conservative fantasy overturn our democracy right Sport? pic.twitter.com/droM56IbIm
— Mary B. Mtv (@jimandmary96) August 3, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
BoomerMyles
It’s just really sad for a grown man to pick on an 18 year old.
Kangol2
There are millions who agree with him, and not just in Ohio. His party is rabidly anti-LGBTQ. Of course he’s leading in GOP polls to become Ohio’s next Republican US Senate candidate.
LumpyPillows
Did you listen to what she said? Nuts.
Hank31
You can vote and join the military and get married at 18, but apparently it’s just too much to have someone tweet a response to your TikTok video!
Cam
@Hank31
Nobody said the 18 year old couldn’t handle it, we were just mocking the older Republican man who couldn’t resist obsessing over a teenager just like all the rest of them apparently.
Hank31
One tweet =/= obsession. Also, let’s stop pretending that teenagers and young adults can’t have huge influence on culture, on social issues and on select public policies. Once upon a time in the 20th century, a teenager’s ramblings really would be of no importance to anyone, let alone to a Senate candidate. But in the 21st century, with the rise of the internet and social media, teens and young adults can make a huge impact, for good or for ill. It’s important for mature adults to engage.
Cam
@Hank31
Obsessed enough to go down the rabbithole to find that person and then use them as an example for his campaign.
Yeah, another Republican obsessed with a teenager.
Mister P
This is what happens when a political party has no ideas for governing, they resort to bullying and lying to the most gullible.
Sqwoah
I mean….c’mon…this teenage clown deserves mocking.
LumpyPillows
I agree. If she thinks this nonsense will sell to the masses, she crazy. This is exactly the kind of crazy they will destroy us with in the next election cycle. If you allow them to tie the LGBT movement to this crazy nonsense we will lose another generation of time towards getting workplace protections for LGBT people. Just stop.
Hdtex
Actually it’s BIGOTS like YOU that need mocking you infected sack of puss.
LeBlevsez
“Just stop”? I don’t think your pathetic plea is going to work. Not everyone is a cowering lump of pillows.
LumpyPillows
nasty, clueless tools. lol.
Cam
You can always tell how ridiculous Republicans are by who they pick as their main adversaries.
Example, Sara Palin went on and on about Levi Johnston, a 20 year old and that was who she spent her time on.
This guy here is making a HUGE deal about a teenager.
That’s who Republicans are, and that is the level they exist on.
JPB
He’s a shoo in – Ohio already has Gym Jordan.
Prax07
Pronouns for a person, other than he/she are stupid anyway. You’re either a male or female, not all this made up bullshit these kids are hellbent on using. Crap like xe, ze, sie, co, ey, etc are just plain stupid and you should Expect to be mocked for that garbage
LumpyPillows
It is impossible to defend 74 genders. It is all about feelings and fashion and has nothing to do with gender. It is embarrassing to that so many people on the left support this level of clinical crazy.
Hdtex
Mock yourself garbage person.
LumpyPillows
so rude. loser.
cliche guevara
Thanks for self identifying as a bigot!
Cam
And you care why?
cuteguy
He’s pandering to moderates who decide elections. So Dems have to take this nut job seriously. Otherwise we can get another Trumpf
Hank31
So we are supposed to simultaneously believe that:
The TikToker is an adult and uses the platform to talk about important issues like gender and mental health
AND
The TikToker is just a little kid and it’s outrageous that a public official, or any adult, would respond to her commentary
cliche guevara
No, we aren’t. We are supposed to have some level of reading comprehension. The article doesn’t say the person is a kid nor does it say they are an adult. What is says is; “Here we have a 43-year-old man running to be a U.S. Senator using his social media platform to mock an 18-year-old for talking about queer issues.” Which is 100% accurate. We have a 43 year old inexplicably bullying an 18 year old.
Hank31
You are confirming that she is 18. Thus an adult. Young adults on TikTok and other platforms have a huge influence on culture and social issues. Indeed, it is her intent to have an influence on culture and social issues. It is entirely appropriate, even necessary, for other adults to respond. I have no idea why you think it’s relevant that Mandel is 43. As if your position would be different if Mandel were 33 or 49 or 27.
cliche guevara
It’s not a surprise but you are still really struggling with the comprehension. This is really simple.
1. While anyone over 18 years old is legally an adult there are differences among adults. For starters brain development is between 7-22 is still pretty active, certainly more active than 23-65 when the brain is at it’s peak. So while a 40 year old and an 18 year old are both adults they are at different levels a maturity. Further, a 40 year old has additional life experience and presumably knows better than to bully another person. So your pass it as they are both “adults” is misguided at best and profoundly ignorant.
2. I get why you are only focusing on age here, it is the best of the weak arguments you have got. The other point is that this isn’t some random 43 year old. This is a person that is making the argument that they have the judgment, temperament and emotional intelligence to be a leader at a national level. You may think picking fights with ransoms teenagers is some sign of great character but it’s just really someone acting like a jack**s. We really need leaders that act like adults, competent adults would be a bonus.
Hank31
@ cliche guevara
1) You are the one who focused on age, not I. I just responded to you.
2) If what you claim about brain development is true, and this 18 yo’s undeveloped brain causes her to make poor arguments on TikTok, that makes it all the more vital that older adults correct her, lest others take her seriously.
3) Bullying is wrong when directed against anyone of any age. Don’t be ageist. That having been said, Mandel did not “bully” anyone. The idea that someone tweeting a response to a public TikTok video is engaging in bullying is a gross devaluation of the term. Shame on you for belittling what some LGB kids go through every day.
Milton
To some this is going to sound ignorant and dont really care.
They/them infers different personas rather than gender fluidity. Your gender doesnt change your persona which you have total control over, you wake up deciding to potray a masculine or feminine or androgenous persona.
If you have multiple personality disorder you would have totally distincf and seperate personas irrespective of gender that is beyond your control.
To me the use of they/them belittles those that have no choice of which persona surfaces at any given time.
I don’t begrudge anyone identifying however the hell they want, what i do begrudge is when words are used that detract from what can be severe and real psychological issues for what is a fad for a significant number of people who call themselves they/them..
cliche guevara
You used a lot words when “I don’t know what I’m talking about” would have worked.
Milton
So you are saying multiple personality disorders dont exist? Or are you say gender fluid people who use they/them have 2 or more distinct personalities and therefore have a multiple personality disorder?
If its the second i am nore than happy to use they/them. I just dont feel they/them is an appropriate pronoun for people with 1 distinct personality that choose to identify as a specific gender or no gender when they wake up.
Growing up with a sister with a personility disorder in her younger years kind of puts this in a different perspective so yeh i do kind of know what im talking about you dolt.
cliche guevara
1. They/them don’t infer multiple personas. They have been used for singular for 1300.
2. Gender dysphoria is a mental health issue and is listed in the DSM. It isn’t a “fad” that people isn’t something people wake up a decide to do.
So, yeah you have no clue what you are talking about. Also ironic that lecture about “belittling” mental health and then turning around and doing that exact same thing.
What is belittling to people with multiple personality disorder is to use their mental disorder as cover for attacking another. What a clown.
JJinAus
I don’t know how it became his business, but as I come from the land down under, why is this terminal case of gay-face who belongs to a fascist party talking about queer issues? Does he have a mirror.
joeboyle49
YES GET RID OF THE LUMPY PILLOWS AND GET RID OF THE COMMUNISTS THAT ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THOIS INTO A COMMINSTS STATE!!!
LumpyPillows
LOL, there is something seriously WRONG WITH YOU.
Derek Northcutt
From that photograph I’m not sure which one is the queer teenager.
jayceecook
I’m from Ohio and JM did nothing to improve this state the last time he held office and I highly doubt he’ll be any better this time around. But the d*c*heads here seem to like them. He’s a jerk and an opportunist. That’s why he’s latching on to trans issues.
That said, I don’t think he’s really “bullying a child” here. This being (since I’m not certain what kind of self or selves they prefer) is an adult using a public platform to spread their message. That means those who don’t agree with you are free to respond in a way you won’t like. JM never made a threat against this being nor did he insight his supporters to attack them. I mean he didn’t even say one thing about their dreadful Harley Quinn cosplay. So Q is reaching here.
I’m getting sick of beings like the one in this TT video co-opting neurodiversity to justify such ridiculousness as “bunnyself” and “dogself”. Neurodivergent people are not that way by choice and can also have a pathological disability.
Also, it’s pretty effed up to tell people to shut up if they don’t agree with your perception of the world yet get angry and go on the offensive against people who do the same to you. Switch the topic to religion and this video falls in line with the Jesus nutters screaming about abortion, LGBTQ issues, prayer in schools, marriage, cakes, and weddings.
cliche guevara
They didn’t say to shut up because you don’t agree with their perception of the world. They told people to shut up if they don’t agree with their perception of themselves.
jayceecook
@cliche guevara One’s perception of self and perception of the world are intrinsically linked. So yes, yes they did.
cliche guevara
Personal gender identity is a form self expression. Contorting it in a worldview is nothing more than you convoluted mental gymnastics to justify bigotry. Good luck with that.
ryepie2222
I actually think they’re the same person. Look closely
Cam
Republicans just can’t keep their mind off teenagers.
PerhapsYesNoMaybe
Josh Mandel looks like the candidate most likely to be on a sex offender registry.
BaltoSteve
If you look at his intended audience, the entire tweet stream makes perfect sense. Well, in that twisted way when you understand the intent behind the actions. His audience are middle to elderly white Ohioans. You know, the “Get off my lawn you pesky kids” crew who somehow are nothing but walking talking Dunning Kruger graphs. They get off on folks putting those uppity kids in their place. Look at the vitriol shown toward Greta. Children should be seen and not heard, unless to parrot their own words back at them. They love the concept of “Children are the Future, but only if they perpetuate all the hubris of preceding generations.”
Kevan1
He looks like a closet cased self hating queen.
GreekKeys
Must be said: The girl is nuts.