Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand is facing scrutiny over his membership at a Des Moines church that hosts drag performances and offers a sexuality education program for children as young as five, according to a report from Breitbart News. The article, published Monday, details Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ’s history of LGBTQ+ advocacy and its use of the “Our Whole Lives” curriculum, which introduces young children to concepts of gender identity and transgenderism.
Sand, the state auditor, is running against Republican Zach Lahn, a private school founder, farmer, and businessman. Recent polling averages compiled by RealClear Polling show Sand leading by more than eight points. On the campaign trail, Sand has pitched himself as a middle-of-the-road “governor for all” and said he is exhausted by the culture war, a stance the Breitbart report argues is contradicted by his choice of church.
Church’s ‘Open and Affirming’ Status and LGBTQ+ Activism
Plymouth Church, where Sand attends according to Iowa columnist Chuck Offenburger, became one of the first congregations to adopt a policy welcoming LGBT-identifying people in 1993 and declares itself an “LGBTQ+ Open & Affirming Congregation” on its website. The church describes the Bible as a “beautiful and baffling book” that it takes “seriously, not literally,” rejecting the doctrine of biblical inerrancy.
The church has participated in Pride festivals and pro-LGBTQ+ rallies. In 2024, it helped lead the first ecumenical worship service on the main stage of the Des Moines Pride Festival, and in 2025, its pastors joined a protest at the Iowa Statehouse to “pray and stand up for our trans and gender nonconforming friends and neighbors.” The church also hosted Rev. Paula Stone Williams, a transgender pastor, in 2023 and regularly observes Transgender Day of Remembrance and Transgender Day of Visibility on social media.
Plymouth Church promotes drag performer events as well. In May 2025, it hosted a concert by drag performer Flamy Grant, described as a “celebration of authenticity and radical love.” In February 2026, it promoted a “family friendly” event hosted by a drag queen.
‘Our Whole Lives’ Curriculum Draws Criticism
Most notably, the church provides “Our Whole Lives” (OWL), a sexuality education curriculum co-published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. The program includes a module for 5- to 7-year-olds called “Under Your Wing,” which introduces concepts like transgenderism and gender identity. Recommended materials include the book “Jack (Not Jackie),” which tells the story of a younger sibling who identifies as a boy and transitions with parental support. Other suggested resources include gender-neutral books about bodies and a video using a teddy bear to explain queer topics to young children.
“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.”
Neither Sand nor Plymouth Church responded to requests for comment by the time of publication, according to Breitbart.
The report also notes that the church supports Black Lives Matter, immigration, and abortion rights. After Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Plymouth Church expressed support for those advocating for “reproductive care,” using the phrase “all who hold the potential to bear life” rather than “women.” The church held a prayer vigil in support of abortion in May 2022 and praised members who attended a pro-abortion rally at the Iowa Statehouse in July 2023.
The Breitbart article, written by political reporter Katherine Hamilton, frames Sand as aligned with a “godless social justice warrior theology” and compares him to Texas gubernatorial hopeful James Talarico. It questions Sand’s claim to be a moderate, suggesting his church affiliation reveals a more progressive worldview.
Sand, who says he often asks himself “What Would Jesus Do?”, grew up Lutheran and has not publicly commented on the Breitbart report. The race between Sand and Lahn is set for November 2026.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/midterm-election/2026/10/12/iowa-democrat-gubernatorial-candidate-rob-sand-attends-church-that-hosts-family-friendly-drag-shows-and-radical-sex-ed-for-children/