Residents, council members press Lansing leaders for action after threats and vandalism targeting queer and trans community

Lansing residents and council members demanded an urgent response to a string of threats and harassment aimed at queer and transgender people, telling the Lansing City Council on Sept. 29 that recent incidents have left parts of the community afraid to gather in public.

Public commenters recounted a confrontation at a downtown bar last week in which, they said, a man who “claimed to be a fascist” threatened to return armed and to harm trans patrons. “Trans people are under attack in America right now,” said Erin Riley, a community member, during public comment, adding that threats and vandalism have followed other incidents in Old Town and against local queer businesses.

Speakers described a pattern of intimidation and harassment that they said included homophobic graffiti and open‑carrying visitors who filmed customers. “We know this wasn't a random act of violence because it featured homophobic slurs and…