California Youth Pastor Arrested on Alleged Abuse Charges After Anti-LGBTQ Posts

This week, the LGBTQ+ community watched as Joshua David Kemper—a 47-year-old youth pastor from Coarsegold, California—was arrested on charges of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. Kemper’s alleged crimes include lewd acts, grooming, and explicit digital communications, all occurring over several months and in places meant to be safe: a church, a home, and even his own car .

But what makes this case particularly resonant for queer folks isn’t just the criminal allegations—it’s the searing juxtaposition with Kemper’s public persona. While allegedly abusing a minor, Kemper posted anti-LGBTQ+ content on his social media, suggesting that queer people were a threat to children. One post featured an AI-generated image of fantasy maidens (apparently from *The Lord of the Rings*’ Rohan), waving a Pride flag and a sign welcoming “orcs” (the narrative stand-in for outsiders), followed by another image of their burned home and the caption “We don’t feel safe.” His message: “Do you get it?” .

For many LGBTQ+ people, this isn’t just another “pastor scandal”—it’s a textbook case of weaponized moral panic. Kemper’s posts recycled a dangerous and persistent myth: that queer adults are inherently unsafe around children, a trope that’s fueled anti-drag laws, library bans, and nationwide protests. In reality, these narratives have long been used to justify discrimination, divert attention from real predators, and silence LGBTQ+ voices.

The arrest itself feels like a grim punchline to years of scapegoating. As queer activists have pointed out, the most strident anti-LGBTQ+ voices often deflect from their own communities’ failings. It’s a phenomenon so familiar it has its own meme: “the louder they protest, the more you should look closer.” The Kemper case, with its explicit digital evidence and months-long investigation, underscores that the true danger comes from those who claim to be the moral gatekeepers .

Investigators revealed Kemper used a VoIP phone number and social media accounts to conceal his communications with the teen—a chilling reminder of how grooming can be facilitated in digital spaces, even by trusted authority figures . The Madera County Sheriff’s Office praised the courage of the victim and her family for coming forward—a vital act given the immense pressure victims often feel, especially when their abuser is a religious leader.

Authorities believe there may be additional victims and have issued a public call for information, reminding us that abuse rarely exists in isolation. Communities—queer and otherwise—are being asked to remain vigilant and to support survivors, regardless of the abuser’s professed values or public persona .

This isn’t just another “hypocrite outed” headline—it’s a wake-up call about the cost of demonizing queer people. For LGBTQ+ audiences, the Kemper case is a reminder of how easily fear and misinformation can be weaponized by those in power. It’s also a rallying point: to demand accountability, to challenge the narrative that equates queerness with danger, and to support survivors no matter their background.

When church officials reported their suspicions, they did the right thing—a model for other institutions struggling to balance “protecting the flock” with confronting abuse within their own ranks . For LGBTQ+ advocates, it’s proof that vigilance and allyship can save lives, and that the most powerful tool against bigotry isn’t just protest—it’s truth.

Kemper’s arrest is bound to fuel conversations about hypocrisy, accountability, and the real risks facing young people. But for queer readers, it’s also a deeply personal moment. It’s about reclaiming the narrative—about refusing to be scapegoated, and about holding institutions and individuals to a higher standard. The battle isn’t just against one pastor, but against a culture that still, in 2025, tries to paint LGBTQ+ people as villains, while ignoring abuse in its own ranks.

As investigations continue, authorities urge anyone with information or concerns to contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. For LGBTQ+ communities, the message is clear: we are not the danger, and we will not be silenced by those who are.