How I Met Patriot Barbie

She is one of the most courageous and beautiful women I've met in my lifetime. In fact, I'd say she's the very definition of disarming: having a manner that allays suspicion or hostility, especially through charm."

Who is Patriot Barbie?

Although she shares her namesake with one of the worst Republicans in the United States Senate, Ms. Lindsey Graham is a quintessential patriot who carries herself with dignity and boldness. According to her website bio:

"When a liberal from her local area poked fun, mocking her as "The Patriot Barbie," Lindsey jumped at the opportunity to flip the script and embrace the persona. Since then, Lindsey has been humbled by the outpouring of heartfelt support from patriots all across the country, praising her bravery, courage, and spirit. Her decision to do what was right in the face of threatening government overreach served as a catalyst for uniting Americans."

In 2020, when all hell broke loose across the nation, Graham was living and working in Oregon. Up to this point, she was an everyday American wife, mom, and hair salon owner who avoided politics. Graham had no idea that defying lockdown orders would transform her into the civically engaged, woman of action we see today. In May 2020, the Daily Mail reported, 

"An Oregon salon owner who reopened her business in defiance of state stay-at-home orders has been fined $14,000 and claims child protective services investigated her home after she opened her workplace's doors...Graham said she had to open up her salon to pay her bills and provide for her family, including three young children..."

Graham was quoted saying,

"'At this point, I'm deciding that it's more important for me to feed my family and pay the bills that are going to keep our home and our family alive than take the risk to remain being shut down for an undisclosed amount of time.'"

Graham also said child protective services came to her residence to interview her and her husband. After enduring continued persecution from radical leftists and state authorities, Graham and her family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona.

Why We Know Patriot Barbie

Graham's plans to settle down and resume a quiet life were rudely interrupted when she was forced to defend her rights once again. This time, she would confront a cross-dressing government official who advocates for LGBTQ ideologies in public schools. In 2020, Paul Bixler - a man who wears women's clothing and identifies as "transgender" - was elected to serve on the board of Liberty Elementary School District (LESD) in Buckeye. This happened to be the district where Graham enrolled her children. 

In January 2022, Bixler answered a call to the public during an Arizona House Education Committee hearing. He spoke against a bill that expanded parental rights in education. Bixler believes decisions surrounding a transgender student's mental health and sexual identity should not immediately involve the child's legal guardian. When parents pushed back and called for Bixler's resignation, he accused LESD community members of harassment and bullying. 

Graham initially confronted Bixler during a LESD board meeting in November 2022. Her full-body catsuit makes the moment worth replaying - ha!

In December, Graham went viral again when she caught Bixler entering the women's locker room at a local gym. Although the situation wasn't hostile, Graham notified law enforcement to send the message that his behavior set a dangerous precedent for all women. Bixler retaliated by serving Graham with a harassment notice at the LESD board meeting on January 30, 2023. 

How I Met Patriot Barbie

I had the privilege of contacting Graham for a phone interview after her second confrontation with Bixler. She graciously explained her side of the story, but I was left with questions about Bixler's bathroom privileges on school campuses. I contacted the LESD board president to further probe the situation, but he turned out to be as shady as Bixler and threatened to resign if I publicly exposed the district. I spoke to Graham multiple times and finally decided to go to Buckeye and oppose Bixler to his face. It would be my first time speaking at a school board meeting. 

I officially met Graham in the back of a crowded boardroom. And I'm willing to admit that I prejudged the condition of her heart based on the amount of makeup and tattoos I saw. Yet, she quickly disarmed me with her smile and "Jesus" hat. She looked at me and said, "Bixler just served me with harassment papers." I responded, "Will you still be allowed to speak?" She said yes, and I replied, "That's all that matters right now." We both laughed at the absurdity of the situation and she delivered a more explosive commentary the second time around.

In May 2023, I traveled to Prescott, Arizona to hear Graham at a Republican women's conference. Little did I know she had spotted me on my way inside the auditorium. My heart warmed over when I saw her posing with open arms and that disarming smile. "I didn't know you were coming!" she exclaimed as we embraced. Her speech performance was amazing and I discerned how God has increased her knowledge and confidence in the political arena. We ended the night with photos and more laughter at Bixler's expense (we're both praying for LESD patriots to succeed in their recall efforts).

I'm sure I'll be seeing this beauty again real soon!