Summary of Findings
Hate-Motivated Violence Continues to Rise While crime rates fell dramatically across the country last year according to the Department of Justice, hate-motivated violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive (LGBTH) community continued to rise. The 14 national tracking programs of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), a coalition of organizations serving LGBTH crime victims, documented 2,445 incidents of anti-LGBTH violence last year. This represents a 2% increase in bias crimes committed against the LGBTH community nationally in 1997. This increase follows a 6% rise in anti-LGBTH violence in 1996. When these increases are compared with the double-digit decreases in other violent crime recorded nationally in both 1997 and 1996, the statistics clearly show that hate-motivated violence continues to be a very serious problem and that certain communities are not benefitting from the much publicized reduction in crime generally seen across the country. Incidents by Month Traditionally, anti-LGBTH violence climbs to its highest levels in the month of June when communities across the country are celebrating Pride Month. This trend is not surprising because the LGBTH community receives a high degree of visibility and media focus during Pride Month and, historically, there has always been a correlation between increased visibility for the community and increased reports of anti-LGBTH incidents. While June was once again the most violent month last year, the number of incidents reported in June (254) was nearly matched by the number of incidents reported in March (240) and April (234). Compared to 1996, the number of incidents reported in March and April were up 30% and 25%, respectively, in 1997. We attribute this rather alarming rise in anti-LGBTH violence in March and April to the unprecedented national attention given to the "coming out" of actress Ellen DeGeneres and her television character Ellen Morgan during this period. The tidal wave of publicity surrounding Ellen's coming out seems to have spurred a homophobic backlash that accounts for the increase in reported incidents of anti-LGBTH violence during these months. Part of the responsibility for inflaming the violence belongs to leaders of the Radical Right who were widely quoted condemning Ellen and ABC, including Jerry Falwell who referred to Ellen as "Ellen DeGenerate," thereby providing legitimacy to the perpetrators of hate crimes. Also, during this same time period, the bombing of a lesbian bar in Atlanta received extensive national press coverage. Once again, our statistics demonstrate the strong correlation between increased visibility and the lack of moral leadership by prominent figures in society and increased levels of violence. The Victimes of Anti-LGBTH Violence In 1997, the number of victims of bias crimes reporting to NCAVP tracking programs who identified as lesbian or gay decreased 1% from the number who did so in 1996. The number of heterosexuals, however, reporting that they were victims of anti-LGBTH crime actually rose a significant amount in 1997--36%. This underscores the fact that hate crimes are crimes of perception. Victims are chosen not necessarily because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or HIV-positive, but because the perpetrator perceives them to be. These statistics send a clear and unambiguous message that no one is safe from hate crimes and that it is in everyone's interest to stop this epidemic of hate. Rise in Serial Incident Serial incidents of anti-LGBTH crime climbed a frightening 36% in 1997. Serial incidents are defined as continuous violence and harassment by one offender against a single victim over a period of time. The largest increase in serial incidents occurred amongst victims who suffered ten or more previous violent incidents at the hands of the same offender; the size of this group increased 66%. Frequently, serial incidents occur in or around the victim's home or community. The perpetrators usually know the victim and often live in the victim's neighborhood or building. In 1997, incidents occurring in or around the victim's private residence increased by 24%, which is consistent with a rise in serial incidents. Regrettably, our work with victims has shown that law enforcement often fails to intervene on behalf of victims in these situations, claiming that these incidents are simply "neighborhood disputes." In most serial incidents, however, the violence tends to spiral out of control and victims are left helpless as the criminal justice system remains cruelly unresponsive. Police Incidents and Response NCAVP statistics for 1997 document a shocking 83% rise in reported anti-LGBTH violence occurring in police precincts and jails. Equally startling, the number of reported offenders who were law enforcement officers increased by 76% nationally, from 266 in 1996 to 468 in 1997. Additionally, reports of unjustified arrests increased by 48%. It is an extremely disturbing trend that more and more people are suffering homophobic violence at the hands of the police, the very people who are entrusted with ensuring the safety of all citizens. It is not surprising, therefore, that statistics continue to show that many victims of anti-LGBTH violence are reluctant or unwilling to seek help from the police or file police reports of an incident. The number of victims who refused to report incidents to the police increased by 21% in 1997. Clearly, police training programs and disciplinary procedures need to be vastly improved to reverse these trends. If drastic steps are not taken, police officers will continue to be a part of the problem, rather than a part of the solution on hate crimes. Incidents at School & Colleges Another disturbing trend to emerge from the NCAVP data is that anti-LGBTH violence at schools and colleges rose 34% last year. The number of victims under the age of 18 also increased in 1997 (by 10%), while violence against those in the 18 to 22 age group increased 35%. These troubling numbers seem to indicate that schools are failing to institute effective anti-bias curricula - if they have any such programs at all - and are negligent in their duty to protect their students from violence and harassment. The role of schools is particularly important in the fight against bias-related violence because negative attitudes toward the LGBTH community are often instilled in children by their families. If left unchecked, these negative attitudes are often expressed through violence. Unfortunately, a very large percentage of offenders are people under the age of 22. Of the offenders whose age was reported to NCAVP, over 43% were in this under 22 age group. Teachers and administrators have an obligation to keep their students safe, including LGBTH youth. They can only meet this obligation by creating a climate in the schools that promotes acceptance of people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender-identity or HIV status. Types of Offenses In 1997, there was a 67% increase in bomb threats or bombings against LGBTH individuals and establishments according to NCAVP documentation. It is important to note that this dramatic rise does not include the highly publicized bombing last year of a lesbian bar in Atlanta, Georgia. The Lesbian and Gay Chapter of the ACLU of Georgia is not yet a tracking program, and therefore their statistics are not included within the text of this report. The increase in bombings and bomb threats is only one of the signs that violence against the LGBTH community has become far more intense in the past twelve months. Further illustrating the increased personal and ongoing nature of anti-LGBTH violence is the 33% increase in extortion and blackmail reported in 1997. Conclusion The statistics gathered by the national tracking programs of NCAVP clearly show that hate-motivated violence continues to be a very serious problem for the LGBTH community. As our statistics have shown, there is a direct correlation between increased violence against our community and high visibility of our community. We expect the community will continue to attract more and more attention in the media and the entertainment industry. This attention will undoubtedly result in the number of violent incidents increasing even further. In addition, the rise in the use of the internet has provided a new and powerful vehicle for bigots to spread their hateful views and promote more violence. With large decreases in violent crime being achieved in communities across the country, the fact that the LGBTH community has not experienced the same level of decreases is inexcusable. Clearly, more work needs to be done by the government, law enforcement, educators and community leaders. Our statistics show that the police are not doing enough. Action should be taken to reduce the number of incidents that occur in police precincts and to increase the number of victims that feel comfortable reporting to the police. Educators need to establish programs that increase sensitivity to diversity in the schools and establish a zero tolerance policy on all hate crimes. Also needed is comprehensive hate crime legislation in every state to stem this horrible epidemic of crime. Recommendations NCAVP urges elected officials, educators, business leaders and others to take the following actions immediately.
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