• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Ohio Man Will Serve Only 30 Days in Jail for Anti-Gay Threats Against Columbus Gym

John Wright January 14, 2016 Leave a Comment

Screen Shot 2016-01-14 at 12.14.00 PM

Last week, we told you how an Ohio man was convicted of a hate crime after repeatedly threatening to “shoot up” his gym if it didn't get rid of gay members, then attempting to assault a man at the Columbus fitness center based on his sexual orientation.

Michael D. Smith, 41, faced up to a year in jail after being convicted of ethnic intimidation, aggravated menacing and disorderly conduct. On Tuesday, Columbus Municipal Judge Paul Herbert sentenced Smith to only 20 days in jail, in addition to the 10 days he's already served.

Screen Shot 2016-01-14 at 12.16.09 PMHerbert also placed Smith on probation for two years, ordered him to stay away from the gym and the victims, and to complete diversity training and anger-management counseling, The Columbus Dispatch reports. During his sentencing hearing, Smith called what happened at the gym “an unfortunate situation that got overblown.”

Smith was arrested last year after he got off his treadmill and charged at a man he perceived to be gay. Smith launched into a rant about not being able to go into the locker room “because all the fags are in there” and said “he wished he could kill all the gays.” Two other members were able to restrain Smith before he got to the victim.

Prior to that incident, Smith allegedly threatened to “shoot up” the gym if his demands to remove gay members weren't met.

Sallynda Dennison, Smith's attorney, continued to play the “gay panic” card at sentencing, although she didn't offer any evidence to back it up. Dennison claimed Smith had been hit on and stared at in the locker room by gay members.

Prosecutors say the manager of the gym, Dana Rocco, still fears retaliation from Smith. After Rocco revoked Smith's membership, the defendant sent the manager angry emails laced with profanity and gay slurs, including one that said: “i will see you again. small world.”

However, Smith told the judge there's “zero percent chance of any retaliation.”

Police say it was the first time since the 1990s that someone has been prosecuted under the city's ethnic intimidation ordinance — a hate crime law that includes sexual orientation.

Watch a report from WCMH-TV on Smith's arrest in September below.

Topics: World More Posts About: Columbus, Gay Rights, Hate Crime, Law Enforcement, LGBT Rights, Michael D. Smith, Ohio, Video

Related Posts
  • LGBTQ nightclub attack a suspected hate crime: Colorado mayor
  • Jim Obergefell, Plaintiff In The Supreme Court Case That Won National Marriage Equality, is Running For Ohio State House
  • The 100,000 (est) Men Convicted for Same-Sex Contact Under UK’s Maze of Sodomy Laws Over The Last Few Hundred Years Can Get Pardons Now. Bit Late For Some.
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Spark Your Passion with That Special Someone in Las Vegas
Next Post: Bisexuals Talk Stigma and Stereotypes, Answer ‘Are Gay Men Mean to You?’ – WATCH »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • OMG, new music! Macy Rodman serves us up a helping of psychosexual techno-thriller with ‘TSPG69’ video
    Charlize could NEVAH! Check out NYC punk multi-hyphenate, MACY RODMAN, with […]
  • OMG, he’s naked: Brent Bentley goes full-frontal and rear in ‘Haunt Season’
    Actor Brent Bentley clowns around and stands around fully naked in […]
  • Winner's Circle: Homo Edition
    Here's a little afternoon fun from my favorite game show as […]
  • Two Things: Jeff Stryker and Tig Notaro
     Which seems more likely?!!See all previous Two Things posts HERE.
  • OMG, WATCH: Ziwe sits down with Lizzo
    Is Ziwe the our Barbara Walters of today? Maybe. Check out […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×