Gay And Lesbian Demographics : Questions About Sexual Orientation

Hate crime is a motivated violent act by a group or individual perpetrator towards a specific race, colour or religion (Collins, Pg 93,192). For many years, authority figures and the media have ignored hate crime offences towards individuals who identify under the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) umbrella. Up until the 20th century and prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, LGBTQ persons have been victimized in violent crimes based solely on gender identification and orientation. With a myriad of events, cases and unreported individual incidents the burden of proof towards hate crime on LQBTQ increased. The development of North American law towards LGBTQ citizens has improved throughout the last two decades. However, there

verbal abuse because of their sexuality, 18 per cent suffered physical assault and 69 per cent

There are usually not many reports made about same-sex violence because many were ashamed or thought their situation would not get heard. These individuals feel like their problems would be determined less serious over heterosexual abuse situations. “Lesbian and Gays are more reluctant to report abuse to legal authorities because they fear that they are showing a lack of solidarity among the gay and lesbian community. Many individuals may think there is a difference between the risk factor among heterosexual couples and same-sex couples, however there is no major difference. Also, according to Seccombe (2015) “The rate of abuse in gay and lesbian relationships is similar to or even higher than that in heterosexual relationships, around 25 to 30 percent” (p.322). As we look at the lesbian and gay community we see that they just want to fit in, so this is another reason their stories become unknown. There are many reason to think only woman get victimized, men are victimized, as well. To add, the individuals who describe themselves in the female role are victimized, based on the gender norms where woman should be unassertive and house labors instead of being in the workforce. So, therefore, there is not a major difference or any difference between the risk factors between the heterosexuals and the lesbian and gay intimate

Did you know in 2016 in the district of Columbia LGBT hate crimes increased by 59% almost doubling from what it was in 2015? Hate crimes are not uncommon but they have gotten worse over the last few years. The percent of Gay/Lesbian people in the US is about 3.8% and among this hate crimes are extremely common most taking place in the person's own home.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) in same-sex relationships is similar and nearly identical to IPV in heterosexual relationships, however, IPV in the LGBT community has a few unique issues. Victims of IPV in the LGBT community have to face many people in society that are homophobic. Though society has become a lot more open in accepting the LGBT community, victims still face negative attitudes from the community making it difficult for them to report the violence. If victims have not come out and announced their same-sex relationships, it makes it difficult for researchers to learn about the IPV among LGBT relationships. They also may not report the violence because if it is exposed it may reveal that they are part of the LGBT community and they

My third argument it that LGBTQ Individuals have a higher chance of being raped and harassed. 4 in 10 Gay men have been sexually harassed compared to the 1 in five heterosexual men. Sexual harassment seems to follow around these individuals everywhere. Many LGBTQ youth are unable to report the abuse and are isolated if they do reveal their assailant. This causes these individuals to feel disconnected for society and many attempt to commit suicide.each time a LGBTQ youth is physical and verbal abused it increases the likelihood of self harm 4.5

Domestic violence is also associated with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010). Domestic violence statistics stated by Domestic shelters (2014) notes, “The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV, n.d), two out of every five gay and bisexual men experience abusive partner relationships, comparable to number of heterosexual women who endure domestic violence. The Coalition also found that 50 percent of lesbian women have experienced or will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In a survey of one year’s time, 44 percent of victims of LBGTQ domestic violence identified as men while 36 percent identified as women (para, 2.).” Moreover, CDC (2014) found that, “45% of lesbian and 61% bisexual women compared to 35% of heterosexual women experienced rape, physical violence, and /or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. As well 26% of gay men and 37% bisexual men-compared to 29% of heterosexual men experience the same (para.1).” Staggering numbers for domestic violence with LGBT people, indicates there is a need for laws to be put in place for

Society kills homosexuals in ways other than murder. Due to the societal pressures, suicide rates amongst LGB individuals are skyrocketed compared to heterosexuals. Gay youths are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide. Gay teens are 3 times more likely. Gay men are 6 times more likely. 30% of the total suicides globally are made up by LGB individuals. Treating homosexuals as abhorrent and inferior, and societal persecution is exactly what causes these shocking statistics.

Although social issues have gotten better, it seems as if things such as homophobic and transphobic hate crimes are once again on the rise. According to the Uniform Crime Report, 2017 was the most dangerous year to be LGBT in America, with 52 homicides

Around the world, crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity are on the rise. According to 76crimes.com, the Trans Murder Monitoring project of Transgender Europe reported 1,731 transgender and gender-diverse people were murdered in more than 44 countries around the world between 2008 and 2014. Nearly 500 of those murders occurred between May 2013 and December 2014. According the FBI, approximately 1,200 out of 6,000 hate crimes committed in 2013 were based on sexual orientation in the United States.

Hate crimes occur all over the world today. Hate crime is a crime, usually violent, motivated by prejudice or intolerance towards an individual’s national origin, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. It has exacerbated in the past few years. The sexual orientation of a person can cause them to a specific target because of their lifestyle and choices. There also, different types of violence used against a LGBT person or groups. And in that case can have a huge impact on how they are living. In terms with the situation can also cause prevention from the hate crimes.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning individuals are almost 3 times more likely than others to experience a mental health condition such as major depression or generalized anxiety disorder (National Alliance on Mental Illness). That is around 55% of LGBTQ people who will develop a mental illness. While some mental illnesses can be genetic, prejudice and stigma have created a higher rate of mental illness in LGBTQ youth because mental illnesses and disorders develop due to prejudice resulting in hate crimes, the stigma of mental health, and the homophobia and transphobia in the United States - all of which that efforts to change are slowly being implemented in schools and homes around the nation. Prejudice and hate crimes such as sexual assault, murder, and torture are not something uncommon for LGBTQ people to experience. For instance, in 2016, 27 transgender people reported to have been murdered, that is more than two people murdered a month (Schmider). However, we can trace it back to much earlier than that.

Along with verbal abuse, LGBTQ youth also experience physical violence in schools across the country everyday. Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s sociologists such as Joyce Hunter thought that much of the physical abuse happening towards the LGBTQ population stemmed from the stigma and fear that came from the AIDS epidemic that was spreading rapidly among the gay community in that time. In a study as recent as 2003, 60% of LGBTQ youth had reported being assaulted physically due to their sexual orientation (Chesir-Taran, 2003) These physical actions towards the gay and lesbian youth has caused many to fear going to school. In fact, many LGBTQ students avoid school in order to escape the physical harassment. This drop in attendance has detrimental effects on the student’s academics (American Educational Research Association).

(2015, May 27). Virtually Every Demographic Group Now Supports Gay Marriage. Nationaljournal.com. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.davenport.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA415210665&v=2.1&u=lom_davenportc&it=r&p=STND&sw=w&asid=e94be71888197bfe314079b2832d8429

People all around the world fall victim to violence and inequality – some suffer torture, some even executed – because of who they choose to love, their appearance, or who they are. Our sexual orientation and gender identity are fundamental characteristics of ourselves, and that should never be factors for suffering from abuse or discrimination. Homosexuality is all over the world; coincidentally, so is the inequality and discrimination. According to the, International Lesbian and Gay Association, 75 countries still incriminate same-sexual acts between consenting adults, which is dropped from 92 countries when previously examined in 2006 (ILGA) According to information from national and state-level population based surveys, it estimates between 2.2% to 4.0%, or 5.2 million to 9.5 million individuals ages 18 and older fit within the LGBT spectrum (Gary). Based on the most recent data, the LGBT population has some variance between state to state; however, across the United States the average population of LGTB is 3.5. For example, Washington State has an LGBT density of 4%, Rhode