The Gaytheist Agenda » Blog Archive » Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes Highest Since 1999.

Anti-LGBT Hate Crimes Highest Since 1999.

According to a report released today by the The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs anti-gay hate crimes are at their highest rate since 1999. This increase is apparently part of a multi-year trend.

The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28 percent in 2008 compared to the previous year, said The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.
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The coalition claims its figures are more accurate than those from law enforcement agencies. The group says the FBI, for example, doesn’t record bias crimes against transgender people because gender identity isn’t covered by federal hate-crime law.

Looking specifically at Minnesota, the NCAVP report reveals:
• 185% increase in the number of violent incidents
• 20% increase in the number of incidents involving multiple offenders, with a 225% increase in incidents involving four or more offenders
• 40% of victims required emergency-room or other hospital care as a result of attacks
• 29% increase in the number of violent incidents directed at transgender men, and 113% increase in those directed at transgender women

“These data show that violence directed at GLBT people continues to become more brutal and more likely perpetrated by groups rather than individual assailants,” Kloek said. “We must continue this vital work to create safe streets, homes and workplaces. Unfortunately, our community must continue to be aware of its vulnerability to hate and bias related violence. We must demand that the larger community and its justice systems hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.”
The report, fact sheets and maps can be accessed at: NCAVP or AVP

A few excerpts from the report which I highly suggest you read in full (PDF format):

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“No on 8” Backlash
―No on 8‖ backlash - CUAV tracked and received a high number of hate violence incidents of anti-gay marriage‖ backlash. Extremely well-funded anti-gay legislation, combined with ―Yes on 8‖ rallies and groups of people harassing LGBTQIQ communities leading up to election day and anti-gay hate violence harassment at the voting polls on November 4th increased CUAV‘s hate violence numbers tremendously. Incidents reported to CUAV ranged from LGBT folks and Heterosexual allies experienced being almost hit with cars by ―Yes on 8‖ protestors, spit upon, yelled at with anti-gay epithets, death threats, bitten, struck several times with ―Yes on 8‖ signs. Community United Against Violence (CUAV) worked collaboratively in an event for LBGTQQ/Same-Gender-Loving/Two Spirit people of color and their allies who were on the front-lines of the struggle against Prop 8, and also for those who feel marginalized by the white-washed marriage equality movement. Sessions focusing on mind-body-spirit healing of the individual and collective trauma and distress were offered. All of these crea-tive partnerships and cross-community conversations were intended to help heal the pain that Prop 8 has inflicted on our diverse queer communities.
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Lesbian couple, suburban
Instead of compassionate medical treatment, a Grand Rapids lesbian couple received a “lifestyle” lecture from a Spectrum Hospital physician in March of 2008. When the couple, who had been married in Canada, went to Spectrum Health for treatment of one partner’s lingering cold, the physician responded by asking the couple’s opinion on ―their‖ recent California Supreme Court marriage decision. He then told the couple that he was a Christian and there was no way that what they had could be called a marriage.
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Gay, male high school student, rural
A young gay man suffered constant, ongoing persecution at a Christian high school in west Michigan. The abuse he endured included everything from being called anti-gay slurs to being beaten with a ruler in the hallways to a dead cat and an obscene note being left on his car. Triangle Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union provided support to the young man and his mother, while challenging the school to implement harassment policies that better protect students.
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Steven Parrish, 18, a Black gay man
On March 3, 2008, Steven Parrish, a young gay man, was stabbed and stomped to death by gang mem-bers Steven T. Hollis, 18, and Juan L. Flythe, 17, who discovered text messages and pictures on Parrish’s cell phone they believed indicated he was gay. Parrish, 18, lived with his parents in Woodmore, MD. He attended Randallstown High School, and was four days away from graduation when he was killed. Hollis and Flythe feared that their gang would appear weak to others if it became known that they had a gay member. Hollis and Flythe were both arrested and charged with first degree murder on August 15, 2008.
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Sanesha Stuart, 25, a Black Transgender woman
On February 9, 2008, Sanesha Stuart, a transgender woman, was stabbed to death by Steven McMillan, who was still in Sanesha‘s apartment at the time the police arrived. After finding out Sanesha was a transgender woman, McMillan flew into a rage which led to her demise. McMillan was indicted with manslaughter in the 1st degree but not murder. Sanesha was loved by all in her building.
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Law enforcement abuse and misconduct was up 113% in 2008, with law enforcement misconduct incidents increasing from 40 to 85.
Law enforcement responded with the following reported attitudes:
*courteous: 48 in 2007 compared with 59 in 2008
*indifferent: 20 in 2008 compared with 22 in 2008
*verbally abusive, no slurs: 7 in 2007 to 11 in 2008
*verbally abusive, with slurs: 1 in 2007 to 5 in 2008
* physically abusive, no slurs: 2 in 2007 to 6 in 2008
*physically abusive with slurs: 2 in 2006 to 5 in 2008
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