BASHIN' SENSE

STUDY: Anti-LGBT Violence Decreased Nationally But Increased In NYC During 2012

IMG_9137The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) released its annual report documenting the high level of anti-LGBT violence in America.

The report, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2012, draws on data collected from 15 anti-violence programs in 16 states. The 2012 report documents 2,016 incidents of anti-LGBTQ violence in 2012 (a slight 4% decrease from 2011), and 25 anti-LGBTQ homicides in the United States, the 4th  highest yearly total ever recorded by NCAVP. The highest ever was 2011 when 30 homicides were reported.

Despite a slight decrease nationally from 2011 to 2012, reports of hate violence in New York increased by 4%, and continued a four-year trend in local increases, including double-digit increases of 11% and 13% in the previous two reports.

“Though the recent spate of hate violence incidents in New York City has captured the media’s attention, this report demonstrates that severe acts of violence against gay men, transgender people and LGBTQ people of color are, unfortunately, not unique to Manhattan nor to the past month, but rather part of a troubling trend in the United States,” said Chai Jindasurat, NCAVP Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project.

Other key findings from the report include:

*LGBTQ people of color were 1.82 times as likely to experience physical violence compared to white LGBTQ people, and gay men were 1.56 times as likely to require medical attention compared to other survivors reporting.

*73.1% of all anti-LGBTQ homicide victims in 2012 were people of color. Of the 25 known homicide victims in 2012 whose race/ethnicity was disclosed, 54% were Black/African American, 15% Latin@, 12% White and 4% Native American.

*Transgender people were 1.67 times as likely to experience threats and intimidation compared to LGBTQ non-transgender survivors and victims.

*53.8% of anti-LGBTQ homicide victims in 2012 were transgender women. This is a considerable increase from 2011 (40%) and continues a three-year trend toward disproportionate and severe violence experienced by transgender women. 

*Of survivors reporting violence to the police, 48% reported incidents of police misconduct, a considerable increase from 2011 (32%).  Of those survivors who interacted with the police, 26.8% reported that the police attitudes were hostile, an 18% increase from 2011.

You can download the full report here.

Photo: JJ Keyes

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