Trans activist details assault at Sharky's bar and calls for safety measures

The Cedar Falls City Council meeting held on March 17, 2025, addressed significant community concerns, particularly regarding safety and discrimination against marginalized groups. The meeting began with public comments, where a resident shared a troubling experience at a local bar, Sharky's. The individual, who attended the bar in drag with friends, reported feeling judged and harassed by both patrons and staff.

The resident recounted an incident involving a confrontation with a patron named Landon Foley, who allegedly made derogatory remarks and physically assaulted the individual by knocking their phone away. The resident claimed that the bar's manager, Sierra, dismissed their concerns and failed to review security footage that could have supported their account. This incident has led to an open police case and the resident is pressing charges.

The speaker emphasized the broader implications of their experience, likening it to stages of genocide, highlighting systemic discrimination and dehumanization faced by transgender individuals. They asserted that trans rights are human rights and called for recognition of the dangers faced by the community.

In response, a council member acknowledged the recent legislative changes that removed gender identity from protected classes but reaffirmed the city's commitment to treating harassment and assault as serious crimes, regardless of the victim's identity. The council member emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated and would be addressed through law enforcement.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for further public comments, indicating the council's openness to community concerns. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Cedar Falls and the city's responsibility to ensure a safe environment for all residents.