Marni von Wilpert, a Democratic candidate for Congress in California’s 48th Congressional District, is hosting a fundraiser at the Gossip Grill, a San Diego nightclub known for its sexually suggestive branding and LGBTQ nightlife, on Thursday evening, August 13th, 2026.

The venue offers adult-themed specials such as "Fi---r me Fridays," "Girls, Gays and Theys Sundays," and "Cabaret Drag Brunch Pride Extravaganza," along with menu items named "Foreplay" and "happy ending."

Wilpert, who publicly came out as bisexual several years ago, has made LGBTQ issues a legislative focus and has actively supported replacing gender-orientation-related books removed from a Rancho Peñasquitos library in 2023. She expressed shock at the removal of LGBTQ content from libraries, stating to the San Diego Tribune, "I’m frankly shocked by this because eliminating LGBTQ content from libraries is what you might expect in Mississippi, but never here in San Diego."

Her efforts have garnered support from groups like Equality California, which cited her work as a basis for their endorsement.

However, the fundraiser has drawn criticism from Republican spokesperson Christian Martinez of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who said in a statement to Fox News Digital, "Out of touch Marni von Wilpert found the perfect headquarters for her radical campaign." Martinez further accused her of promoting a "perverted agenda" that "pushes hormone treatments on kids, shuts parents out and puts sexual content in front of young children," adding, "That dangerous agenda belongs in a nightclub, not Congress."

Among Wilpert's campaign priorities are restructuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and imposing penalties on companies with low wages, alongside her focus on LGBTQ issues.

Sources