Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Incidents Triple During Pride Month in U.S. This Year, Reveals New Study
July 31, 2023ADL and GLAAD’s report tracked at least 356 incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism in the United States. Of the 356 total incidents, there were 305 incidents of harassment, 40 incidents of vandalism and 11 incidents of assault. Incidents were documented across 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, with California, Florida, New York and Texas seeing the highest total number of incidents.
Approximately 138 of these incidents involved drag events and performers, and 33 involved schools and educators. Another 23 of these incidents involved healthcare providers/facilities, and around 22 involved government buildings and elected officials.
Around half of the reported incidents (49%) were perpetrated wholly or substantially by individuals associated with extremist groups, such as the Patriot Front and the Proud Boys, noted the study.
The baseless “grooming” conspiracy theory was the most-cited anti-LGBTQ+ trope, with at least 191 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault making explicit references to “grooming” or “pedophilia.”
Approximately 128 of the incidents also involved antisemitic tropes, and 30 involved racist tropes, showing the overlap of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment with hatred of Jews and non-white races.
“Since many anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism incidents go unreported, the true numbers are likely far higher,” noted the report.
“This new report makes abundantly clear that extremism is escalating against LGBTQ+ people and endangers every American… Extremists, including elected officials, must be held accountable for inciting violence and using vile rhetoric against marginalized people who just want to live in safety and peace,” stated GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.
Click here to download the full report.
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