...Hate Crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals Marcy Ross University of Phoenix Homosexuality is accepted more today; nonetheless, there are still a number of hate crimes being committed against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. A prime example of such hate was proven on October 6, 1998 when Matthew Shepard was robbed, pistol whipped and tortured because of his sexuality. On October 12, 1998 at 12:53a Matthew died, this proved to the world that hate could manifest from such ignorance and cause such a horrific tragedy. Mason states, “everyone should be outraged by the murder of Matthew Shepard—not because he was gay, but because he was a human being (1993). For the past decade, because of sexual orientation, lesbians and gay men have been consistently the third most frequent target of hate violence, and this has not heightened only fear, but also insecurity among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. According to The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, violent crimes against people in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community rose 13% in 2010 and that minorities and transgender women were more likely to be targeted. The increase is believed to be against this group because of their sexual orientation, gender or HIV positive status. Some believe hate crimes increase after attacks that become high-profile or when an individual of the LGBT community civil rights are debated...
Words: 1196 - Pages: 5
...Hate Crime: A Rising Problem Hate Crime can be defined as a perpetrator deliberately targeting a victim because of his or her believed membership in a certain social group, usually defined by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, or political affiliation. In the US the Hate Crimes Statistics Act (1990) requires for the recording of an event as a ‘hate crime’ that there is ‘manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity and requires recording officers to complete a 14-point checklist involving a great deal of subjectivity and requiring tacit knowledge of the offences by the recording officer’ (Jacobs, 2003). Some groups such as blacks, Jews, and homosexuals are the most targeted for biased based violent crime but are protected by certain state and federal laws while other groups such as transgendered people are not protected by any law. In the film Soldier’s Girl we meet a young man plagued by the ignorance of a society unwilling to accept a person with non-traditional sexual orientation into the bravado of the Army Infantry. This is an instance far too familiar for many people who make the choice to have a non-traditional way of life. The story of Barry Winchell and Capernia is a direct correlation as to how homosexuals as well as transgendered individuals are treated by society today. The debate on whether being homosexual is a choice or a trait a person is born with...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...are considered to be hate crimes. Hate crimes can take many forms; A black teenager is beaten up by white teenagers while walking through a suburb. Swastikas are painted on a synagogue. A gay man is killed and another is injured when they are attacked by a group of men outside a gay bar. A transgender male or female. A bomb threat is called in to a local Islamic center, and racial epithets are shouted at children wearing traditional Arab clothing. Not only do hate crimes affect individual victims, but can also harm every other member of the group that individual represents, creating a sense of fear, vulnerability, insecurity, distrust, and outrage. They can also launch cycles of retaliation and counter-retaliation among groups. Almost two-thirds of reported attacks are committed by individuals under the age of 24. Although people of all racial and ethnic groups commit hate crimes, young white males commit majority of them. Most victims of violent hate crimes are also young: more than half of the victims of reported hate violence are age 24 or under, and nearly a third are under 18. African Americans, Jews, Arab Americans and Muslims, new immigrants, lesbians, gay men, and women are some of the most frequently targeted groups. Four definitions of the term "hate crime" are: • Hate Crimes Statistics Act (1990): "crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, including where appropriate the crimes of murder, non-negligent manslaughter...
Words: 493 - Pages: 2
...Unit VIII Research Paper Cherie Quiles Waldorf College Introduction My topic is hate crime, more specifically, hate crimes within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community. It relates to social change because even though it is no longer considered taboo in our country, it is not widely accepted within certain groups or communities. Many people struggle to coexist within members of this community. A hate crime is a crime in which a crime is committed against another person due to the offender being biased against someone else. This is usually due to the person’s race, religion, creed or sexual preference. Although hate crimes in a new category of punishable crime, it has been around for a while in the United States. Many members of the LGBT community make up the majority of the crimes that are the most underreported. Laws against Hate Crimes Laws against hate crimes and discrimination were created because members within this community are being discriminated against daily and at alarming rates. Transgender people are fighting against discrimination at work, schools, housing and public places, to include the ability to use the appropriate restrooms. Contrary to what is seen on television, such as Orange is the New Black, within prison/jails populations, most transgendered people are not housed with the sex they identify with. In recent news, a transgendered woman, Vicky Thomas, was found hanging in her cell. Vicky had reported being harassed...
Words: 1351 - Pages: 6
...Running Head: Hate Crime Analysis – Homosexuality Hate crime Analysis – Homosexuality CJA540 Nicole Paddock Eric Drennan October 18, 2010 Abstract Hate crimes are crimes that are motivated by prejudices. Hate crimes can be against people because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Incidents of hate crime can be physical assault, property damage, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse, graffiti, and/or hate mail. This paper will discuss hate crime has it pertains to sexual orientation focusing on homosexual men. It will provide a brief description of why homosexuals are victimized and discuss two cases of hate crime. The paper will then talk about the restorative justice models that could be used to help and the best instrument to measure the victimization of homosexual men. The paper will conclude with discussing the criminological theory that best describes why there is victimization with homosexual men. Homosexuality and victimization have become two things that unfortunately go hand in hand. Homosexual men are the prime targets for those who commit hate crimes. “Past studies show that gay men are more likely to be the victim of violent crime than lesbians. Gay men are often targeted out in public such as attending gay bars and nightclubs and in neighborhoods that are predominately occupied by gay men” (Waldern-Haugrud & Berg, p. 4 2004). One of the reasons homosexual men are targeted is because homosexual men tend to be more visible...
Words: 1331 - Pages: 6
...states that; we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. These words were written over two-hundred years ago, and even then, the people believed in the importance of equality. All men are created equal, and therefore there should be no discrimination. History shows the discrimination of African-Americans and how our country has evolved regarding racism, but now there is a form of discrimination that is becoming more prevalent. This form of discrimination is towards those of other sexual orientations, such as those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Discrimination, under any circumstances, is morally wrong, and discrimination based on sexual orientation needs to be addressed. Along with the degrading discrimination based on sexual orientation, comes the subjection of verbal abuse and other hate crimes. A gay and lesbian anti-violence report states that 75% of hate crimes are committed by people under the age of 30, and one in three are under the age of 18. More than 80% of victims of violent hate crimes never report the incident, because many are afraid they will be “outed”. Such horrific discrimination and violence can often result in low self esteems, and in some cases, even suicide. Young lesbians, gays, and bisexuals are at a quadruple risk for suicide than people of the same age that are straight. Anti-gay hate crime rates have risen dramatically; an incredible 172% in just the...
Words: 1048 - Pages: 5
...A World of Hate Ever wonder what influences a hate crime? Crimes committed through acts of violence because of differences sometimes result in fatalities. It is because of one’s belief, morals, feelings and teachings that influence hate toward others. Populations such as race, sexuality and religion are targeted by hate crimes because of bias, discrimination and prejudice which encourage hate. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, hate crime is defined as any of various crimes (as assault or defacement of property) when motivated by hostility to the victim as a member of a group (as one based on color, creed, gender or sexual orientation). Diversity plays a major role when it comes to hate. Differences among each classified group (named above) are reasons why prejudice, discrimination and stereotypes take place causing ill feelings toward these groups. A person’s prejudice may lead to an act of aggression, but hate crimes are mainly caused by a feeling of being threatened by the combination of a certain group of people which the perpetrator is already prejudiced against. Bias-motivated crimes are designed to intimidate the victim and members of the victim’s community in which it leaves them feeling isolated, vulnerable, and unprotected by the law. Hate groups take advantage of economic pain and conspiracy theories. Many of those involved with these hate groups are living in neighborhoods that are decreasing economically and at the same time, demographics rapidly...
Words: 1200 - Pages: 5
...of homosexuals, although much discrimination and prejudices against them are still observed around the world. It is impossible for many, especially those with more traditional mindset and strong religious beliefs, to even contemplate the idea of homosexuality. The choice of leading a homosexual or heterosexual lifestyle lies with the individual and no one else has to right to discriminate their decision. We should however, respect one another regardless of one's sexual orientation and differences just like how we have come to be accepting of people who are of a different race. Hence, homosexuals should not be treated any differently from heterosexuals either. For years, homosexuals have been fighting for equal rights. Discriminations against homosexuals are often openly expressed and unfair treatments between homosexuals and heterosexuals are observed in many countries. In a gay community, it also consists of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT). LGBT people often have to face social ostracism as most people have strong religious beliefs that disapprove of homosexuality and they usually have little or no social contact with them. Discrimination and prejudice against homosexuals are seen in places even schools. Most of the time, people, especially the younger generations, use words related to homosexuality as an insult. This way, it creates an inaccurate idea that it is wrong and undesirable to be gay. Boys are often stereotyped to be sporty and less expressive...
Words: 805 - Pages: 4
...Relates to the Current Relationship Between Police, Different Group Dynamics and Social Interaction Also, When Looking at the Overall Social Interaction of the Gay Community, has Law Enforcement Adapted to Modern Times in Addressing Their Needs Associated with Hate Crimes? Leitha Powell Diversity Issues Professor Thomas September 9, 2014 Before the creation of the first modern police department founded by Sir Robert Peel of England, the Metropolitan Police of London it was the duty of every able body person to contribute to the policing of their community. People were more trusting of the “police” because essentially they were neighbors looking out for one another so there was a general harmony within the community. Sometime during the early part of 20th century formal police agencies were created in the United States with this came the breakdown of interaction between different communities and police for instance, minorities and the gay community. Throughout this country history, there has always been discontentment and strife between the minority communities and law enforcement in the United States which is still an imperative issue today. This problem started with execution of slave patrols by the legislature when they passed An Act for Establishing and Regulating of Patrols. Which were a group of white men not exceeding seven who were hired to prevent slave insurrection, enforce and discipline slaves; they policed slaves on plantations and hunted down fugitive...
Words: 921 - Pages: 4
...Research Study #1: Victim experiences in hate crimes based on sexual orientation By: Herek, Gregory M., Cogan, Jeanine C., Gillis, J. Roy2 Universities Affiliated: University of California, Davis., University of Toronto Abstract: Using interview data from a convenience sample of 450 lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults, the varieties of victim experiences in hate crimes based on sexual orientation are described. Most crimes were perpetrated in public settings by one or more strangers, but victimization also occurred in other locales, and perpetrators included neighbors, coworkers, and relatives. In deciding whether a crime was based on their sexual orientation, victims tended to rely primarily on contextual cues and perpetrators’ explicit statements. Victims’ concerns about police bias and public disclosure of their sexual orientation were important factors in deciding whether to report antigay crimes, as were beliefs about the crime’s severity and the likelihood that perpetrators would be punished. Reflection: The method used in this research study is the interview method. They collected a sample size of 450 willing volunteers (224 men: 204 gay, 20 bisexual and 226 women: 202 lesbian, 24 bisexual). They all were asked to describe their experiences with hate crimes and there was a split between people who knew for sure they were attacked by biased views and those who knew their attacker did not have any biased views against them. Many volunteers felt they were most likely...
Words: 3514 - Pages: 15
...Intervening in a Violent Situation Regardless of Gender Identity of Victim Abstract The purpose of this study was to find out whether bystanders to a violent act would react similarly if the victim was a transgender individual versus a heterosexual female. There is little past research on this subject, but what has been done on violence within this community suggests that the violence against them is significant, increasing, and constitutes a serious public health problem in the U.S. (Witten & Eyler, 1997). We chose to analyze answers to questions on three separate vignettes, confidence in intervention choices (Chabot, Tracy, Manning & Poisson, 2009), gender transcendent scores (Baber, K., & Tucker, C. 2006), and transphobia (prejudice, discrimination, and gender-related violence due to negative attitudes toward transgender identity) scores. We sampled 112 students face to face from a small private liberal arts school. Our research showed no significant difference in intervention choices regardless of whether the victim was transgender. There was however a significant positive correlation with the gender transcendent score, verbal intervention, and indirect intervention (e.g. call police/911), but there was no significant correlation between the gender transcendent score and physical intervention. Because rates of violent attacks and hate crimes towards the transgender community are very high (Wilchins, Lombardi, Priesing, & Malouf, 1997) it is important...
Words: 3409 - Pages: 14
...Canada refers pornography as an ‘obscene’ matter, i.e. crime, horror, cruelty, violence, and exploitation (Fraser, 1985). Yafee’s definition states pornography as a depiction of sexual pleasures, but on the other hand, the Canadian constitutional definition of pornography reflects the idea of violence and sexual exploitation. The paper centralized on the theme that modern pornographic depiction is a...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...During the many years that Gay and Lesbian freedoms were being compromised many losses were had. Many men and women, despite biological birth were threatened, tortured, or murdered. It’s interesting to look back on these moments while trying to move forward to understand how much better things have become because of those who lost their lives for the pursuit of happiness. In this essay I will talk about the traumatic events that transpired and how they slowly led to Hate Crime Legislation. During Bill Clinton’s presidency, many painfully gruesome acts of gay bashing occurred. And due to the media’s interest in Clinton’s efforts to end the ban on gays and lesbians in the U.S. military, news of the bashings were heavily publicized. In December 31, 1993, a twenty-one year old trans man was killed. Brandon was killed when his rapists John Lotter and Tom Nissen attempted to make sure Brandon did not testify against them for the raping him when they found out that Brandon was born biologically female. In 1998 Matthew shepherd was brutally pistol-whipped, tortured and tied to a fence to die. When he was found he had experienced severe brainstem damage. This damage affected his ability to regulate body temperature, heart rate, and other vital functions. Due to his many lacerations and fractures his injuries were deemed too severe for doctors to operate. He never regained consciousness and remained on life support until he eventually died. Due to this Clinton’s attempt to the addition...
Words: 635 - Pages: 3
...Crimes that result because of hatred or prejudice against others has been a reality for thousands of years, beginning as far back as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (maybe even further), with the crimes committed against Native Americans by the Europeans and continuing on until today. Most of them stem off of religious and ethnic biases, especially those committed in the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), however, the term Hate Crimes did not become a part of national vocabulary, specifically in the United States, until the 1980s, when emerging hate groups, like the Skinheads, began committing numerous bias-related crimes. The first recorded "Hate Crime" occurred in 1922 when the Federal Bureau of...
Words: 1426 - Pages: 6
...decision to allow gay marriage across the country be overturned? I believe gay marriage should not be overturned because it is not our right. As a texan and being individualistic/conservative like many others, the right to marry should be left to the personal opinion of the individual not everyone else's. No one person should tell the other they can't marry someone they wish to marry. I personally think people should just accept or at least look away from gay marriage if they are against it. One should worry for their own life and not others, therefore I believe that marriage should not be overturned, but rather be left alone. The negative of Gay marriage is that originally and socially marriage is supposed to be between...
Words: 1377 - Pages: 6
