News: Legal Resolution for Anti-LGBT Malicious Communication
Building a safe community and strengthening weak sanctions
As part of my applied social science work, I get to assist organizations like OutCenter in policy, operations, and programs — sometimes, this means contributing in a direct way to safer environments through utilizing local public safety and municipal resources to hold anti-social behaviors accountable.
Here’s a summary of what happened:
In February, OutCenter received an abusive voicemail containing offensive and discriminatory language targeting our organization and the LGBTQ+ community we serve.
OutCenter assisted in identifying the caller, leading to an investigation by a Berrien County detective. The caller, CM, was subsequently charged with malicious use of telecommunications services, a misdemeanor offense under Michigan law. On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, CM appeared at the St. Joseph Courthouse for his pretrial hearing, where he entered a guilty plea.
You can read the full press release about the incident and its resolution here: https://www.outcenter.org/articles/outcenter-comments-on-legal-resolution-of-malicious-communication