LGBT related hate crimes on the rise in DC

[ccharles000]

http://www.feministing.com/archives/011117.html

There are many things about the queer community in DC that are really positive. It's a close knit community, people are really welcoming, there is a very visible LGBT presence across the city. There are lots of bars and clubs for gay men and there a few for lesbian women as well. Unfortunately, there are some huge downsides to being part of this community as well.

LGBT related hate crimes have been on the rise in the district lately. There have been at least three incidents in the last few weeks, involving young gay men being brutally beaten while out in the streets. We're not talking about people who were out really late at night, or even walking alone. One of the most recent victims, Tony Randolph Hunter, died yesterday from his injuries. It hasn't been confirmed that these incidents were hate crimes, but it's probable.

I know that my friends and I are pretty scared. I would say that I'm quite visibly queer, and that makes me feel like a target. Nationally, around 15% of hate crimes are LGBT related. In DC, it's 60%.

It's such a complicated issue. Crime in DC is pretty severe--it ranks in the top five nationally in terms of crime rates. A lot of my friends have been mugged, it's a common occurrence. One of the reasons that might explain the disparity in hate crimes rates is the Gay and Lesbian Liasion Unit of the DC police department. So reporting in DC might be better than in other cities, where crimes that could be considered LGBT related hate crimes are not reported. Also, the visibility of the community might contribute to the rate. Poverty is also pretty serious in DC, as well as racial tensions. It's a majority African-American city, and the gay community is overwhelmingly white. The gentrification issues I mentioned earlier also probably have an impact.

[DesertFlower]

1. Jesus H. Christ.

please be careful. :hug:

[ColbertWatcher]

2. I wonder if they show any comparative rates?

Are all crimes increasing at an similar rate?

Or are crimes targeting the LGBT community the only one that is increasing.

I suspect all crime is going up, it usually does when a country goes to "war" (or invades another country). I've read studies showing violence going up when a country is engaged in armed conflict somewhere else--there seemed to be a correlation between the blood-thirstiness in preparation for war and the population's de-sensitivity to violence at home.

I also read more recently that homelessness has increased nationwide, any word on how many of the D.C. victims were homeless?

[ccharles000]

3. kick