Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity are on the rise, indicating a worrying trend.
According to FBI data, While overall violent crime decreased by 3% from 2022 to 2023, overall bias-motivated crimes and crimes considered to be motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity increased.
The FBI estimates that in 2023, there were 2,936 incidents in which the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity appeared to be a factor, an 8.6% increase from approximately 2,700 incidents in 2022.
Prejudice based on a person’s sexual orientation constitutes approximately 18.1% of all bias-motivated crimes, while prejudice based on a person’s gender identity constitutes 4.3% of all hate crimes, 3 They constitute the second and fourth most common prejudice motives. What lies behind race, ethnicity, and religion?.
Sexual orientation (excluding crimes directed against victims because of actual or perceived heterosexuality) accounted for 2,389 incidents, accounting for 81% of anti-LGBTQ crimes. This is a 9.1% increase compared to the 2,188 crimes recorded in 2022 and an 83% increase compared to the 1,300 crimes recorded in 2021.
FBI data also shows that incidents targeting people because of their gender identity or gender nonconformity also increased over the same period, jumping from 307 in 2021 to 515 in 2022 and 547 in 2023. It shows.
The biggest spike in anti-LGBTQ hate crimes appears to have coincided with the introduction of anti-LGBTQ laws introduced at the state level, as Republicans and conservatives seized on anti-LGBTQ rhetoric as a potentially useful electoral issue. Increased in 2022.
The number of bills introduced each year aimed at restricting LGBTQ rights and visibility has also increased in subsequent years, but they are being passed less frequently this year than in 2022 and 2023. .
The American Civil Liberties Union is currently tracking 530 anti-LGBTQ bills Regulations introduced this year include bans on gender-affirming care, restrictions on school content (such as curriculum and library books), bans on transgender participation in sports, and bans on changing gender markers on identity cards. It will be done.
The majority of these bills (343) have been defeated so far, but it is possible they will be revived.
The Human Rights Campaign places much of the blame for the rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, including claims that LGBTQ people are “grooming” or “indoctrinating” children.
“Every lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer person in this country should not have to fear being targeted in an incident of violence purely because of who they are or who they love. , should live their lives freely,” said HRC President Kelly. Robinson said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the latest FBI hate crime data shows that even though society’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ people continues to grow and overall crime continues to decline, hate crimes against us still show signs of slowing. It shows that it is not.
“Make no mistake about it, politicians who spread disinformation and demonize our lives are complicit in this violence.”
“Today’s damning FBI report highlights how dangerous it remains to be LGBTQ+ in this country,” PFLAG National CEO Brian K. Bond said in a statement. “Our LGBTQ+ loved ones need both our compassion and action to make our communities safe and our laws inclusive so that all LGBTQ+ People can feel safe, celebrated, affirmed, and loved anywhere in the United States.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
