From a young age, patriotism was more than just a concept to me; it was a way of life instilled by my father’s teachings and stories. 
This love for my country became a part of my identity, a beacon guiding my beliefs and actions. However, the rise of cancel culture in 2020 introduced a shadow of fear over my once unshakeable resolve. The fear wasn’t for myself alone but for the well-being of my family and the business we had painstakingly built that employs 75 wonderful, hardworking people. Now let me just preface with the fact that I have always accepted individuals no matter their sexual preferences, race, or religion. I believe in gay marriage; I believe that as an adult, you should be able to live your life freely to whatever capacity you want; however, when it begins to infringe on my personal rights or the rights of others, I do have to draw the line. It was a year ago when I voiced a concern that seemed grounded in common sense—that biological men competing in women’s sports, changing in women’s locker rooms, and accepting awards intended for women’s achievements was fundamentally unfair. Yet, within hours, my opinion attracted a storm, led by a self-proclaimed abortion activist and ally of the trans community in Buffalo, NY, aimed at vilifying me and damaging my business.
In that moment, I regretted my outspokenness, kicking myself for breaking the silence I had maintained for so long. The rapid backlash made me question the cost of speaking up. Cancel culture had its intended effect; derogatory reviews flooded in, labeling me with terms that couldn’t be further from my truth: “Lindsey is transphobic, Lindsey is a bigot”. The ordeal was nothing short of traumatic in the moment, a stark lesson in the consequences of voicing dissent in an increasingly polarized world. THe mob moved onto the next target quickly however I immediately retreated back into a cautious silence. But something just didn’t sit well with me. How could I be silenced for speaking common sense?
But life, as it often does, had other plans. Almost a year had passed in this self-imposed silence when an incident jolted me awake—literally. It was the early hours of February 5th when the unthinkable happened: intruders in my driveway, bold and brazen, attempting to steal my car. This was not the America I knew; this was not the Grand Island I had called home for 35 years. The crime was a far cry from the petty mischief typically seen in our community. It was a violation, a stark manifestation of the lawlessness creeping into even the most serene of places.
That morning marked a turning point. The shock and violation of that morning galvanized me, reigniting a fire I thought had been extinguished by fear and intimidation. I was done being silent, done letting fear dictate the boundaries of my speech. The stakes had become too high, the societal shift too grave to ignore. It was time to stand up, to be a voice among the silent majority yearning for reason, for sanity to prevail.
Thus, I resolved to reclaim my voice, to speak out against the tide threatening to erode the very foundations of our community, our
values. It’s a path fraught with challenges, no doubt, but the alternative—a silent acquiescence to the erosion of our liberties—is no longer justifiable. In the end, it’s not just about one voice; it’s about awakening a chorus of voices, courageous and resolute, ready to defend the principles that have long defined us as a nation, as a people.
Looking back, I am frankly embarrassed that I allowed a group of self-proclaimed extremists to silence me. That is not who I am, and that is not the example I want to set for my children. This is America. We have the right to speak up and voice our opinions and concerns. We have the right to question our government; we have the right to stand for common sense. Since I have decided to speak up, my social media platforms have exploded with support from the silent majority. My direct messages are comparable to a priest’s confessional. So many Americans fed up with America and the direction it’s headed in are coming to me to thank me for speaking up. This was never the path I intended on taking, but I felt called to do so. My father always taught me that even if you stand alone, you must stand up for something you feel is right and just. Some days are harder than others, but I just remember he is watching and proud. He didn’t raise a fool, and he certainly didn’t raise a coward. It is incredible to see the changes that America has faced in just the past four years, and I am sorry I was silent for so long. When your intentions are pure and your faith is with God, nothing can stop you. So to my fellow patriots reading this, I ask you to stand with me or behind me; either way, take a stand with me. Our country needs us; our children’s future depends on us, and those are two things we cannot take lightly.
