Marni von Wilpert, a Democratic candidate for California's 48th Congressional District, is facing criticism from the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) for her choice of venue for a campaign fundraiser.
The fundraiser was scheduled to be held Thursday at Gossip Grill, a San Diego establishment that describes itself as an "inclusive Queer Women’s and LGBTQ+ restaurant and nightclub." The NRCC, in a statement, targeted von Wilpert for the venue's adult-themed menu and events, calling it an "out of touch" and "radical campaign" headquarters.
"Her perverted agenda pushes hormone treatments on kids, shuts parents out, and puts sexual content in front of young children. That dangerous agenda belongs in a nightclub, not Congress," stated NRCC spokesperson Christian Martinez.
Gossip Grill's menu includes drink names such as "Camel Toe Mojito" and "P–sy Punch," and categorizes some food sections as "foreplay" or "happy ending." The venue has also hosted adult-themed nights, including a "F—r Me Friday" DJ event in June.
Tickets for the event were priced at $100, with a $50 option for young adults. The gathering was promoted as an event for local LGBTQ+ groups aiming to support the Democratic effort to win California's 48th Congressional District. Attendees listed for the event included numerous LGBTQ+ organizations, such as Equality California and the Human Rights Campaign.
Von Wilpert, who is openly bisexual, has made LGBTQ+ rights a central theme of her campaign. She has pledged to advocate against bans on gender-affirming care, conversion therapy, and book restrictions that she contends target LGBTQ+ voices. In 2023, she was involved in efforts to replace LGBTQ+ books that had been widely checked out from a library display and advocated for increased LGBTQ+ representation in local libraries. She has stated that denying access to LGBTQ+-affirming books is a way of marginalizing LGBTQ+ individuals.