Man Reportedly Kills Himself After Church Allegedly Refuses To Let Him Dress As A French Cat Maid

Toni and Kevin Link say their youngest son, Joshua A. “Nomad” Link, died in 2024, less than a week after losing his job as a custodian at St. John Lutheran Church in Granite City, Illinois.

An online obituary for Joshua Link includes a photo of him wearing a French maid outfit and a collar. According to reporting by the Belleville News-Democrat, church leaders dismissed Link after he declined to sign a document agreeing to wear standard work attire, including a shirt, pants, and shoes, rather than alternative clothing he had worn to work.

The News-Democrat reported that Link had been transitioning for approximately two years and referred to him using the name “Naomi” and female pronouns. Joshua Link’s parents told the outlet that, since their son’s death, they are most comfortable using the name Joshua and male pronouns.

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This is not exaggeration.

A young man wanted to wear a cat-maid outfit to work as a custodian in a church, the church said he had to wear work appropriate clothing, so the young man took his own life.

There is no upper limit to the madness & horror caused by trans ideology. https://t.co/e6TwdygUKi

— Serena (@Serena_Partrick) January 21, 2026

The Links said their son derived a strong sense of purpose and self-worth from his job and that losing it had a significant emotional impact. They believe church leaders, including Rev. Bill Hale, contributed to a mental health crisis by presenting what they described as an ultimatum without sufficient empathy or support.

According to the News-Democrat, the Links explored legal action against the church but were unable to find an attorney willing to take the case. Kevin Link reportedly wrote to church leaders stating that he and his wife hoped to obtain a doctor’s note addressing Joshua’s mental health needs and the importance of his chosen attire.

Rev. Hale told the newspaper that church leadership did not act without consideration, noting that Joshua Link was not immediately terminated and that efforts were made to address the situation.

Joshua Link’s death has raised questions about workplace policies, mental health support, and how institutions respond to employees experiencing psychological distress. His parents continue to speak publicly about their son’s life and the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

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