A 74-year-old Long Island man, who had sent over 60 letters to LGBTQI persons, organisations and businesses, including the Stonewall Inn in New York, threatening to “kill, shoot, and bomb” them, was sentenced to 30 months in prison last week.
Between 2013 and 2021, Robert Fehring, a retired high school teacher, had terrorised LGBTQI individuals and businesses in New York by sending them letters threatening violence.
His eight-year long reign of terror came to an end in 2021 when he was arrested by the FBI. Trigger Warning: This story discusses threats of violence against LGBTQI persons, which might be distressing to some readers.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.In his letter threatening the owners of Stonewall Inn, Fehring wrote, “we will blow up/burn your establishments down.