Ermiya Fanaeian

Ermiya Fanaeian is a transgender Arab "Palestinian" immigrant and far-left activist, known for leading the controversial militant group Armed Queers Salt Lake City (AQSLC), a radical LGBT and communist collective based in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The group, founded in 2020, has received national attention due to its openly militant stance, anti-capitalist ideology, and promotion of political violence, particularly against conservative figures.

Background

Fanaeian leads Armed Queers Salt Lake City, an organization that defines itself as a Marxist–Leninist collective. The group combines LGBT activism with armed self-defense and revolutionary leftist ideology. AQSLC states that it seeks to promote a "broader struggle against capitalism and state violence," and advocates for the elimination of traditional institutions such as the police and prisons.

The group outlines six core principles in its membership application, the first being:

• "Armed and combative defense of queer and trans communities."

Other goals include:

• The end of capitalist oppression,
• The construction of a socialist society,
• Trans liberation, and
• The abolition of law enforcement.

Highlights

Promoting Cuban-Style Revolution in the U.S. In a now-deleted video from May titled “Cuba Report Back: Our Time as 2025 May Day Brigadistas,” two prominent members of the radical group Armed Queers — Ermyia Fanaeian and an individual identifying only as “Connor” — openly praised the Cuban regime during a trip to the communist nation. The video revealed the group’s core principles, which align disturbingly with far-left revolutionary ideologies. The leaders expressed admiration for the Cuban Revolution and made no secret of their intent to bring that same failed socialist model back to the United States. Their trip and subsequent commentary raise serious concerns about the normalization of authoritarianism, Marxist ideology, and anti-American sentiment under the guise of "activism."

In 2025, AQSLC faced significant backlash after its official Facebook page featured a cover photo with the text: "Ben Shapiro should be the next one killed." This explicit threat toward a prominent conservative commentator was widely condemned and viewed as indicative of the group's extremist ideology. Following public outrage, the group deleted its social media profiles, including its Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Connection to Political Violence

The rise of Armed Queers Salt Lake City coincided with the high-profile murder of Charlie Kirk, a well-known conservative activist, in Utah. The incident brought renewed attention to politically motivated violence involving members or affiliates of progressive and left-wing movements.

Kirk was fatally shot after a verbal altercation with a left-wing activist with a known online presence. Although he was not charged, he acknowledged the incident publicly and expressed condolences to Kirk's family.

The shooter was later identified as Tyler Robinson, a far-left individual who lived with a transgender partner undergoing gender transition. Investigators reported that the ammunition used in the attack bore pro-LGBT slogans, and that Robinson had adopted radical leftist ideologies after university, including associations with groups such as Antifa.

Ideology and Activities

Armed Queers Salt Lake City identifies explicitly as a communist organization, advocating for radical social restructuring and armed resistance against what it perceives as state oppression. According to one leader during a July 2025 meeting:

"We are a Marxist-Leninist organization led by queer and trans people."

The group conducts ideological outreach and training sessions, combining queer identity politics with revolutionary messaging. Conservative critics have raised concerns about the normalization of militancy within activist spaces, especially those rooted in identity-based politics.

Reactions

The emergence of AQSLC has triggered concern among conservative leaders, law enforcement officials, and commentators who see the group as emblematic of a broader trend of left-wing radicalization. Critics argue that such organizations threaten public safety, freedom of speech, and democratic values, particularly when they operate in traditionally conservative regions like Utah.

The events surrounding AQSLC and the murder of Charlie Kirk have been cited as evidence of the increasing polarization and political violence in the United States.

See also

• Charlie Kirk
• Ben Shapiro
• Rashida Tlaib
• Zohran Mamdani
• Left-wing extremism
• Antifa

References

• Transsexual Palestinian immigrant leads LGBT terrorist group in Utah, USA – La Derecha Diario (15 September 2025)

• Armed Queers group trains radical Marxists to shoot just miles from where Charlie Kirk was murdered - Just The News. (15 September 2025)