In the midst of a political storm, Lady Lydia, a drag persona brought to life by Frank Carey, finds herself at the center of a controversial campaign ad. The ad, part of U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan’s re-election effort, features a likeness of Lydia and has sparked a heated debate in Northeast Pennsylvania.
The advertisement, presented by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), criticizes Bresnahan’s rival, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, with claims of supporting policies that would “force grown men in girls’ bathrooms and women’s sports.” As it stands, the ad ends by showcasing Cognetti alongside prominent figures like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and Lady Lydia.
A GoFundMe page was launched to support legal actions aiming to remove the ad, accumulating over $2,100 in donations by Monday afternoon. The fundraising page argues that the ad wrongly depicts Lady Lydia as a menace and exploits her image without consent.
Photo from Pride event
The controversy stems from a photograph featuring Cognetti and Lady Lydia, taken during the 2025 Pride flag-raising ceremony in front of Scranton City Hall. This image was shared on the city’s official Instagram account.
Reilly Richardson, a spokesperson for the NRCC, highlighted that the Instagram post revealed children attending the event and noted that Lady Lydia is also known by the name “Chlamydia Berns.” Richardson stated, “Paige Cognetti is sending her left-wing buddies out to do her dirty work and try to prevent Republicans from telling the truth about her in Northeast Pennsylvania.” He further questioned Cognetti’s association with activist groups and her appearance with someone identified as “Chlamydia Berns” at an event with minors present.
A desire to ‘fight back’
Carey, grappling with the unexpected situation, expressed his determination to challenge the ad. Through a Facebook post, he shared, “This was certainly never a situation I expected to find myself in, and asking for help isn’t always easy. But sometimes you have to stand up and say enough is enough.” He also expressed his gratitude for the support received, emphasizing, “Thank you for reminding me over these past few days just how much love and support surrounds this Queen. And trust me … this Queen isn’t going quietly.”
