Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Hate Crimes: What to Know and Do

Written by Doug Riley

Tuesday, 28 December 2004

Kansas City, MO – Recent incidents in the news including questionable FBI hate crime statistics issued in November and the airing of a news story on ABC’s “20/20” about Matthew Shepard has prompted the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project to remind the public about the severity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) hate crimes—regardless of reporting statistics.

What should a victim of a bias crime do?

• If hurt, call (or have someone else call) 911. It is important to get medical attention, even if injuries are minor. They may seem minor now, but complications may occur later.
• Go to a safe place: the victim’s physical and emotional safety is most important.
• Report it-call KCAVP: There are many reasons why people do not report hate crimes. However, victims may have reasons to consider before reporting a crime to police. KCAVP works with victims to help them determine if they want to report it to law enforcement, however, KCAVP documents all acts of violence reported regardless whether the victim reports it to the police.
• It is never the victims fault! The victim should talk to someone who will be sympathetic and who will understand the seriousness of what he or she has been through.

According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, anti-LGBT violence has risen 26 percent nationally since July 2003. This is due to increased visibility in the media by shows featuring LGBT characters or themes such as “Will & Grace”, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”, “the L Word”, and “Queer as Folk.” Increased visibility for marginalized communities equals an increase in violence targeting those communities—so in areas of the country where gay marriage has been an issue—anti-LGBT violence has increased.

“We as a community must respond to all hate crimes,” commented Doug Riley, Executive Director of KCAVP. “Hate violence includes verbal harassment, vandalism, physical and sexual assault, and homicide. We must not be silenced at a time when the LGBT community is oppressed so severely given today’s conservative political and social climate. Violence such as this affects everyone in a community regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics.”

Contact KCAVP for more information about hate crimes and the services KCAVP provides by calling 816-561-0550.

The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) is a Missouri nonprofit committed to providing services, advocacy and education for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and bias crimes within the metropolitan Kansas City area. For more information about KCAVP, visit http://www.kcavp.org/.