Rob Sand's Church Pushes LGBTQ+ Propaganda, Teaches Kids Transgenderism The Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines, attended by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand, promotes left-wing ideology including LGBTQ+ acceptance, abortion rights, and Black Lives Matter. The church hosts controversial events like drag concerts and teaches children about transgenderism, which critics argue conflicts with traditional Iowa values. Sand is running against Republican candidate Zach Lahn, a private school founder, farmer and businessman, and is leading by an average of over 8 points,on the campaign trail that he is exhausted by the culture war - although reading about the church he attends gives one the impression he is the same breed as Texas gubernatorial hopefulhimself "What Would Jesus Do? " - grew up Lutheran and attends Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Des Moines,establishes it as an "LGBTQ+ Open & Affirming Congregation" and calls the Bible a "beautiful and baffling book" that they take "seriously, not literally," eschewing the Christian position that the Bible is theone of the first churches to adopt a policy welcoming LGBT-identifying people and call itself an "open and affirming" (ONA) congregation. The ONA Coalition notably pronoun buttons or stickers for use on Sundays and practice introducing yourselves with your pronouns as part of your introduction.Church Embraces LGBTQ+ Policies" The coalition also recommends congregations openly show their acceptance of LGBTQ+ on social media, websites, Sunday bulletins, and by flying a rainbow flag or banner outside the church.in many "pride" festivals, pro-LGBTQ+ rallies, and protests over the years. In 2024, the church helped lead the first-ever ecumenical worship service on the main stage of the Des Moines Pride Festival, according to a recent job posting.In 2025, pastors for the churchThe church also hosted a "transgender" pastor - a man pretending to be a woman - Rev. Paula Stone Williams in 2023, OffenburgerScreenshot 2026-10-12 at 3.38.33 PM (Plymouth Church)a concert by a drag performer "Flamy Grant.Children Exposed to Gender Concepts" The event page described the concert as a "celebration of authenticity and radical love" for "anyone seeking a night of joy, hope, and affirmation. "" which introduces young children to concepts like transgenderism and "gender identity. " One of the recommended books is called "Jack (Not Jackie). " "An older sister is at first sad when her younger sibling who was assigned female at birth identifies as a boy.Parents support the child's transition and eventually the older sister realizes she loves her brother," the program's book synopsis Other suggestions include "gender neutral" books about "bodies that have penises" and "bodies that have vulvas and vaginas," and a video with a host using a teddy bear to "explain queer topics…in a way that's understandable by young children.Campaign Attacks Sand on Values""This is disturbing material, but it's right in line with Rob Sand's liberal views," a Lahn campaign spokesman told Breitbart News via email. "If you believe men can become women, then what's to stop you from teaching it to schoolchildren? Values matter and Rob's values are NOT Iowa values." Besides pushing LGBTQ+ propaganda, the church supports Black Lives Matter, flooding the U.S. with migrants, and killing unborn babies in abortions.those mobilizing to advocate for "reproductive care," the left's euphemism for abortion. The church used the term "all who hold the potential to bear life," rather than saying "women." The church held a prayer vigil in support of abortion in May of 2022 and praised its members for attending a vigil on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol in June 2024 to defend abortion rights.