Toni and Kevin Link’s youngest son reportedly died by suicide in 2024. A news story included a photo of their son, Joshua A. “Nomad” Link, dressed in a French maid outfit with a collar. His obituary was shared online, addressed to young people.
According to reports, Joshua was let go from his job as a custodian at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Granite City because he refused to sign a document agreeing to wear traditional work attire instead of his costume. Less than a week later, he had passed away. His parents expressed that he felt a loss of value and purpose from his job.
The Belleville News-Democrat stated that after their son’s death, the Links communicated they preferred to use the name Joshua and male pronouns, yet the outlet continued to refer to him as “Naomi” and use female pronouns.
Joshua had mentioned in an interview that he had transitioned to a woman about two years prior, and it raises a question about whether he may have been taking hormones like estrogen. His struggles seem evident, especially given the request he made to wear what was essentially fetish gear to work, as noted in the Belleville News-Democrat.
One tweet highlighted the tragic situation, indicating that the church had dismissed the request for the costume and that this rejection seemingly contributed to his distress.
Joshua’s parents believe that church officials, including Rev. Bill Hale, played a part in their son’s death due to a lack of empathy and understanding. They expressed their thoughts on pursuing legal action against the church but encountered difficulties finding legal representation. Kevin Link had written to church leaders, emphasizing the need for support regarding his son’s mental health.
Interestingly, the Links have another son who, according to reports, also identifies as a woman. Rev. Hale commented that if they had acted without empathy, they could have terminated Joshua’s employment immediately.
Many find it absurd that Joshua’s desire to dress in a costume at work became such a pivotal issue. There’s a sentiment that requests like these should warrant serious consideration, as mental health situations often require careful handling. Some argue early intervention rather than mere affirmation might have helped avoid tragedy.
