Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Hate Crimes
Does it seem like violence against gays and lesbians is increasing? I was shocked to learn that several gay men were beaten with baseball bats after San Diego Gay Pride last month. San Diego is such a gay-tolerant city and no one expects that kind of violent attack at Gay Pride. Not in the United States at least. Gay Pride celebrants were attacked in Moscow this year by religious extremists. "Groups of roaming neo-Nazis stormed around the square looking for gays and lesbians to attack," said one participant.
World Pride in Jerusalem cancelled its parade because of fear of violence. And two lesbians in Jamaica were murdered in what is thought to be a hate crime. And that is just some of the violence this summer.
To make matters worse, those that are charged with protecting us, are often perpetrators. Amnesty International released a study last year that stated that abuse by police of gay, lesbian and especially transgender people is widespread.
Why is there an increase in violence against gays and lesbians? Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force says the increased violence is due to a growing anti-gay right wing movement. “The hatred fueling these terrible attacks is not innate; it is learned. And who is teaching it? Leaders of the right wing, who use their vast resources, media networks and affiliated pulpits to blame lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people for all the ills of society,” he said. It is hard to argue with him, when gays and lesbians have been called responsible for the 9/11/2001 attacks, Hurricane Katrina and even the recent crisis in the Middle East.
What do you think? What is the cause of recent increase of gay and lesbian hate crimes? What can we do to stop violence and hatred toward gays and lesbians? Add your comments below.
© Photo courtsey of Sara Hoffman
Comments
My oppion concerning the “outbreak” of hate crimes aimed at gay and lesbians is of course first and fore most, outrageous. Thinking for a moment however, these crimes are nothing new.To put ones self out there you take a chance everyday. It could be riducule, or a cold shoulder but hopefully not a baseball bat or worse. My point is this, eduacation is the only salvavation. Clearly retaliaton is too abstract to even consider, so the simplest form of communication, i.e. thinking, speaking, teaching, are all desperatley needed to be utilized as the main defense against this age old hate.
Here in New Orleans, there has been a lot more hate crimes against gays in neighborhoods that were very gay friendly before Hurricane Katrina. The crimes are not reported on the news but in the gay community, we here about them. It is very scary–the city is struggling in so many ways.
i do agree that the right wing is the main contributor in fueling the hate that people feel and do towards the lgbt community. with us, trying to achieve liberation and we are indeed getting it in some areas, they can’t help but counter it. after all, that is what they think they are there for, to stop us who “threaten” their “values”.
i do not know what the solution to this is. as long as they wrongly interpret that bible, qur’an or whatever other religious literature to back up their hate, their reasons are blocked and only some special form of education will work. i think it will be a type of education that will also come from their sidea and should also target the young cos as long as there are budding hatemongers, there will be hate.
It would help a lot if a reeorist would assinate Bush. Also beat Pat Robinson to a pulp and hang him on a fence to die! Yes, I know violence is not the answer, but the thought warms my heart!
So, are they wanting us to start beating up people because they are straight?
Is not hate crimes like terrorism?