What do LGBTQIA+ publications like The Advocate, Lavender Magazine, Windy City Times, LGBTQ Nation have in common—besides promoting sexual sin as good and normal? Over the past week, each ran a glowing piece celebrating a petty glitter-bomb stunt aimed at harassing the Illinois Family Institute.
Apparently, Democratic congressional candidate and Chicago attorney Reed Showalter decided that the best way to “prove” his credentials to the radical Left was to respond to a Christian organization’s candidate questionnaire with… an envelope full of glitter. The articles proudly describe the stunt this way:
The idea is for the glitter to “explode” everywhere upon opening, creating a mess both fabulous and near-impossible to clean — annoying but ultimately harmless.
“Harmless” — unless it ends up in your eyes, nose, or lungs.
Thanks to the publicity surrounding Showalter’s antics, we were alerted before his envelope reached our mailbox. But what stands out most is not the nuisance itself — it’s what the episode reveals.
In Showalter’s Instagram video, he openly mocks IFI’s mission statement just before dumping glitter into the envelope, saying:
“If it weren’t already clear, this organization is gleefully transphobic and homophobic, so I think it’s only fair that they get a little sparkle in their life…”
This irrational behavior isn’t bold or clever. It’s yet another reminder of the hostility woke activists show toward people of faith who dare to hold a different worldview. For a man seeking to represent the people of the 7th Congressional District, this level of contempt for traditional Christianity should trouble every Illinoisan.
IFI is on the Front Lines — and the Opposition Knows It
We highlight the Showalter episode on this Giving Tuesday because it illustrates the spiritual and cultural battle we are in. IFI is targeted precisely because we refuse to bow to the lies dominating our culture — lies about human dignity, sexuality, family, and truth itself.
This day of giving always matters, but this year feels especially urgent. Your partnership with IFI is essential if we’re going to stand together for our values and defend the liberties under assault in Illinois.
Please Stand With IFI Today
If you appreciate IFI’s work to push back against destructive policies and counter the Left’s narratives in the public square and in the General Assembly, we invite you to make a Giving Tuesday donation today. Your support enables us to continue “boldly bringing biblical principles to public policy” in Illinois.
Our team works diligently to advance Biblical Truth — defending faith, family, life, marriage, and religious freedom in a state that desperately needs moral clarity.
As Thanksgiving weekend closes, would you prayerfully consider giving #4Values on #GivingTuesday?
With your generosity, we will strengthen our efforts to uphold marriage, family, life, and liberty in the Land of Lincoln. And as always, your gifts to IFI are tax-deductible.
If you prefer to give by mail:
Illinois Family Institute
P.O. Box 876
Tinley Park, Illinois 60477
IFI remains the only full-time pro-family organization in Illinois advocating for your faith, your family, and our shared freedoms — both in Springfield and in the public square. We cannot stand firm without your partnership.
Thank you for standing with us!
Sincerely,
David E. Smith
Executive Director
P.S. If you support IFI or our sister organization Illinois Family Action — thank you! Would you please forward this message to friends and family or share it on social media today? Your voice helps amplify the truth.
