rights
3 men assaulted a trans bartender. Now she's facing felonies for defending herself.
By Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 5, 2026
· 1 min read
A transgender bartender in Laramie, Wyoming, who pointed her gun at a man she says hurled gay slurs at her and threw her to the ground, is headed to trial on felony assault and gun charges. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Ríhanna Kelver says she was acting in self-defense afte
Key takeaway If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison.
Why this matters
The case of Ríhanna Kelver, a transgender bartender facing felony charges for defending herself against assault, highlights the complexities of self-defense laws and their application to LGBTQ+ individuals. Wyoming's "Stand Your Ground" law, which Kelver's lawyer argues protects her actions, may not provide the same level of protection for marginalized communities. The fact that Kelver's assailant was not charged, while she faces up to 15 years in prison, raises concerns about unequal treatment under the law. This case also underscores the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ individuals in areas with limited legal protections, where they may be more likely to rely on self-defense. As the case proceeds to trial, it will be important to watch how the court interprets Wyoming's self-defense laws and whether they will provide adequate protection for Kelver, and by extension, other LGBTQ+ individuals who may find themselves in similar situations.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 5, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A transgender bartender in Laramie, Wyoming, who pointed her gun at a man she says hurled gay slurs at her and threw her to the ground, is headed to trial on felony assault and gun charges. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. Ríhanna Kelver says she was acting in self-defense afte
When was this published? This article was first published on June 5, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Owen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .