More gays targets of hate, state says (FL)

[Khephra]

More gays targets of hate, state says

Though race still is the top motivator in such crimes, sexual orientation now makes up 20% of them.



By Erin Ailworth
Sentinel Staff Writer

December 28, 2004


Gays and lesbians are increasingly becoming targets of hate crimes in Florida, according to data released Monday.

Race remains the No. 1 motivating factor in hate crimes, accounting for about half of the 275 cases reported in the state in 2003, the most recent year for which there are statistics. But the percentage of hate crimes linked to the victim's sexual orientation has reached an all-time high of 20 percent.

State Attorney General Charlie Crist said the annual report shows a "clear pattern of growth" in hate crimes based on sexual orientation, which have "increased relentlessly." In the past four years of reports, Florida law-enforcement agencies have documented 194 such crimes, tallied by the number of victims rather than the number of incidents. That four-year total was slightly more than the combined number for the first eight years of hate-crimes reporting.

Gay and lesbian groups aren't surprised. They say the 55 crimes reported in Florida in 2003 are reflective of increased nationwide hostility toward their community sparked by recent "anti-gay" legislation such as sodomy laws and marriage bans.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/orl-asechate28122804dec28,0,1347661.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[Barkley]

1. These are "reported' crimes, the actual number are probably higher

I can imagine that some people might not want to report gay-bashing for fear of being considered gay.

There might also be some error on the part of law enforcement to properly identify gay-bashing/ hate crimes.

I wonder how the campaign for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and the whole discussion impacted violence against gays.

This is a very important post.

Thanks Khephra



:kick:

[Shakespeare]

2. Well, sure. They're given implicit endorsement by Bush himself.

Gays are bad, evil, corrupt, sick, unnatural...and on and on. Is anybody really surprised at the increase in hate crimes directed at gays? It's federally endorsed, for crying out loud.

[oneold1-4u]

4. Ugly religious hate!

About 90% of southern religious organizations put out hate material constantly against GLBT and race acceptance. The government should at least make an attempt to put down blatant hate material. Every true christian should demand their churches stop this practice, or find a better denomination, with more love than hate.

[Chipper Chat]

6. Do you suppose Bush signed an executive order

authorizing the same treatment for gays as the "detainees" at Abu Grabe? Wouldn't surprise me.

[arwalden]

7. Faith-Based Bigotry and Faith-Based Hatred Are A-Okay

Everyone from Bush* to Falwell to Robertson to Phelps to Reggie White have been spreading word that homos are evil, sub-human, and a danger to society. It's little wonder that our basic rights are being erroded and bigotry is being written into LAW. :eyes:

So if someone is attacked, should they fight back? Would that make them guilty of not being tolerant of the attacker's religion? :shrug:

[gold_bug]

3. Very sad but not surprising

considering what the Republicans have been doing.

[Laughing Mirror]

5. Is now 2d highest category of hate crime offenses in US

is what Newsday couldn't bring itself to say. Here's a more national report.

http://www.q-notes.com/top/top01.html

FBI says hate crimes on rise

Gay-bashing second highest reported offense

by Mark Shields

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sexual orientation-based bias crime is now the second highest category of hate crime offenses in the U.S., according to new information from the FBI. Previously the third category behind race and religion, 1,430 hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation were reported in 2003. Six murders were reported based on sexual orientation — the highest category followed closely by four murders based on race bias.

“Hate crime continues to be a national scourge,” says Human Rights Campaign President Cheryl Jacques. “The current federal hate crimes statute needs to be strengthened immediately to give law enforcement the tools they need to combat these crimes.”

* * *

The data also does not track crimes based on bias against transgender people. Nov. 20 marked the Sixth Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance which marked the loss of 21 transgender individuals to hate violence over the past year.

* * *

“This new data confirms that hate motivated crimes remain a problem of critical national importance,” said Jacques. “And still — despite widespread support among law enforcement, the American people and members of Congress from both parties — a few Congressional leaders consistently block common-sense responses to this problem.”

more ...

[DFWJock]

8. Mary Cheney

continues to have "no comment."