Twenty-five-year-old Kalvinn Garcia pleaded guilty to the February 2020 arson at the Capitol Hill nightclub Queer/Bar on Thursday, May 26. Garcia, a resident of Sedro Wooley, Wash., admitted to law enforcement that he set fire to the dumpster behind Queer/Bar because he was angry that the sign said "queer."

"I think it's wrong that we have a bunch of Queers in our society," Garcia told the SPD, according to a US Department of Justice press release.

"The defendant targeted the patrons inside Queer/Bar, a known safe space for the LGBTQI+ community," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division told the press. "Hate crimes have no place in our society today, and we stand ready to use our federal civil rights laws to hold perpetrators accountable. All people deserve to feel safe and secure living in their communities, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Garcia's dumpster fire only scorched the outside of Queer/Bar's building, harming none of the approximately 50 people inside. The incident, which was investigated in 2020 by the SPD and the FBI, led to his arrest shortly after.

"We must stand up to this hate at every opportunity," said Nick Brown, US Attorney for the Western District of Washington. The case is being prosecuted by US Attorney Rebecca Cogen and trial attorney Angie Cha of the Civil Rights Division.

Garcia is awaiting sentencing in September. Currently, he faces a maximum sentence of $250,000 and 10 years in prison.

As of press time, Queer/Bar's proprietors have not been able to be reached for comment.