Anti-gay hate crimes

still on the rise in 1992

by Ed Boyte

A twenty percent increase in anti-gay crime in Chicago helped account for record high reports of hate-based violence nationally in 1992. While the total increase was four percent over 1991, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Policy Institute reports that anti-lesbian and gay violence has risen 172 percent from only five years ago, when many of the reporting agencies began.

Locally, the Maryann Finegan Project of the Lesbian and Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland received reports of 43 anti-lesbian-gay offenses in 1992. The local and national statistics include only those where the motive was clearly anti-gay-lesbian, or due to HIV, or suspected HIV status. Crimes against gays, lesbians or bisexuals where robbery, theft, or domestic violence were the sole motive are not included.

The NGLTF Policy Institute Report is based on reports from Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York City, and San Francisco. The figures from Minneapolis were down 8 percent from 1991, but were "of relatively minor significance given the 1,196 percent explosion in incidents there during the past five years," according to the report.

Violence and the far right

NGLTF reports a link in anti-gay crime and the anti-gay initiatives in Colorado and Oregon in 1992. "In an atmosphere poisoned by ... anti-gay sensationalism, violence against lesbians and gay men escalated in Oregon. The Lesbian Community Project in Portland tallied 968 incidents of anti-gay violence, more than any other lesbian, gay and bisexual victim service agency in the U.S. in 1992."

Violence in Colorado tripled after the anti-rights bill passed on November 3, "in November and December, after the vote, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado received 40 percent of its bias reports for 1992.”

Right wing groups in both states fueled anti-gay resentment by:

Trying to tie homosexuality to sadomasochism and pedophilia;

●Distorting marketing research to claim lesbian and gay incomes are twice the national average, exploiting fears of eastern Oregon residents hit hard by the losses in the timber industry, and those in Colorado who are just beginning to recover from a glut in the oil business;

Distributed copies of The Gay Agenda and other anti-gay videos that claim among other things that "gay (sexual) aggression results in violent riots in the streets.'

Murders and death threats "Violence permeated Oregon during the campaign. The Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon Office was ransacked and campaign donor lists were stolen. People whose names were on the lists received phone and mail death threats. Simply being lesbian, gay or bisexual became dangerous in Oregon. A lesbian and a gay man died when skinheads, who had been harassing them, firebombed their house."

When the initiative failed, the state remained quiet. "When the voters let it be known that they weren't going to accept Measure 9, anti-gay violence plummeted," said Donna Red Wing, director of the Lesbian Community Project in Oregon.

Violence as attempt to silence

"Homophobic violence and victimization are at an all-time high and continue to be a widespread and critical problem,' according to the report. While some cities like Minneapolis and San Francisco experienced a slight decrease in reported hate crime, "it remains once and profoundly destructive. As with other bigoted attacks, each anti-gay episode sends a message of hatred and terror intended to silence and render invisible not only the victim but all lesbians and gay men.

"Increased anti-gay violence frequently occurs in a context of increased gay and lesbian visibility that, in turn, is a consequence of greater acceptance and empowerment. It is no coincidence, therefore, that attacks are greatest in those communities where lesbians and gay men are living openly enough to organize, educate and challenge bigotry.

"Nor is it a coincidence that... anti-gay violence occurs in the context of pervasive attacks against Jews, people of color and women. Given how extensive bigoted violence and the all encompassing hatred of those who commit such crimes, it is imperative that measures to address the problem include all those who are the targets of hatred."

The reports goes on to say, "Despite a very large body of evidence to show that lesbians and gay men face an epidemic of violence and bigotry, they are often intentionally excluded from hate crime measures. Although some leaders in government, law enforcement, and religion actively support efforts to oppose violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, they frequently encounter fierce resistance from those seeking to deny lesbian and gay people the same protections accorded to other groups in our society. The continued denial of such protections is a legal and moral disgrace that must be challenged and overcome."

HATE CRIME UPDATE

Compiled by the Maryann Finegan Project

The following hate crimes were reported to the Maryann Finegan Project in the past month:

January 31, Clifton at W. 105--Around 10 p.m., white male walking on Clifton Blvd. assaulted by three white males in late teens and early 20s who jumped out of a car, hit victim between eyes with blunt weapon, knocked victim to ground, kicked him and yelled anti-gay epithets at him. Victim suffered head injuries and broken ribs. Incident reported to Cleveland police; good response.

February 2, Mayfield/Murray Hill area--White male walking on Mayfield in Little Italy was confronted by a stranger, who pushed victim against fence and yelled anti-gay epithets and threatened to hurt him. Victim got away; perpetrator threat-

ened to come after him. Victim experiencing anxiety, fear and flashbacks. Volunteers needed

The Maryann Finegan Project seeks volunteers who have interests and skills in the following areas:

Taking and following up on reports from victims of anti-gay violence

Compiling and tracking local and national anti-gay violence statistics

Working with local law enforcement Participating in law enforcement train-

ing sessions

If you have at least five hours a week to commit to this cause and would like to participate, please call the Lesbian and Gay Community Service Center at 522-1999, Tuesday or Thursday afternoon.

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