rights
Man tased after he allegedly pantsed a trans woman in front of children at an amusement park
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 1, 2026
· 1 min read
An 18-year-old man has been charged with four misdemeanors after allegedly pulling down a trans woman's skirt and underwear in the middle of Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park on Tuesday evening. The suspect, identified as Marquez D. Williams, allegedly walked up to the woman from behind, ripped down
Key takeaway An 18-year-old man has been charged with four misdemeanors after allegedly pulling down a trans woman's skirt and underwear in the middle of Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park on Tuesday evening.
Why this matters
The incident at Cedar Point amusement park highlights the vulnerability of trans individuals to violent and dehumanizing acts in public spaces. The fact that the victim believes she was targeted due to being trans suggests a possible motive of transphobic harassment. Ohio's hate crime statute, which does not include gender identity and sexual orientation, limits the ability to prosecute such incidents as hate crimes. However, Sandusky's nondiscrimination ordinance, which includes gender identity, may provide some recourse for the victim. The Movement Advancement Project's low LGBTQ+ Policy Score for Ohio underscores the state's lack of comprehensive protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. This incident demonstrates the need for stronger policies and laws to protect trans individuals from harassment and violence, particularly in states with limited LGBTQ+ protections. As the case proceeds, it will be important to watch how local authorities apply Sandusky's nondiscrimination ordinance and whether the incident sparks calls for broader hate crime protections in Ohio.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 1, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An 18-year-old man has been charged with four misdemeanors after allegedly pulling down a trans woman's skirt and underwear in the middle of Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park on Tuesday evening. The suspect, identified as Marquez D. Williams, allegedly walked up to the woman from behind, ripped down
When was this published? This article was first published on June 1, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen 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 .