FBI Shows Gay-Bashing Increase in 2006

Hate crimes against gays made up 16% of total documented hate crimes across the United States in 2006, up from 14% in 2005, the FBI reported Monday.

The rate of all bias-motivated crimes increased 8% in 2006. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation are the third most common type, behind race and religion, according to the annual report.

In May the House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act -- known as the Matthew Shepard Act -- in a bipartisan vote, and the Senate approved it as well. If enacted, the proposed law would give the federal government expanded jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violent crimes based on a person’s race, color, religion, or national origin as well as their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, and disability. It also provides assistance to local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence, according to an Human Rights Campaign press release. Existing federal hate-crimes law covers only those based on a victim’s race, color, religion, and national origin.

“This FBI report confirms what the Human Rights Campaign has known for over a decade -- that hate-crimes protections for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community are long overdue,” HRC president Joe Solmonese said in a statement. “We urge Congress to send this legislation immediately to the president’s desk, and for the president to sign it into law.” (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (4) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: kathleen
Date posted: 11/16/2008 5:13:00 PM
Hometown: oakland

Comment:
my multi racial family and i are moving up to greenville in a number of years....i am hoping to avoid the white trash methaddicts. we are buying a home near kinder avenue i looking in quicy but too expensive...greenville appears to be a bit more laid back......are there many teenagers of color at FRC? where are all the happy hippies? the democrates? please let me know what areas of greenville are thick with whit trash and which areas are nicer...
Back to top
Name: Brooke
Date posted: 10/19/2008 1:41:00 PM
Hometown: Greenville

Comment:
Move to Quincy if you can. I grew up in Plumas County in Greenville. Quincy is a lot more comfortable of a place to live if you are gay. Get out of Portola! My girlfriend and I plan on moving up to Plumas County soon. I think it is very important that gay people up there get to know each other and form a community so that everyone can feel safer. Good luck and hang in there. Plumas County is a beautiful magical place and it's for all people to enjoy!
Back to top
Name: T. Williams
Date posted: 8/13/2008 6:50:00 PM
Hometown: Portola, California

Comment:
We live in a community, that we are experincing Gay Abuse. We as a couple moved to this community, 5 years ago. Opened a business of extrodinary, quality and Service. I would have never believed such BIGOTRY survived in CALIFORNIA! It's estimated, that 85% of the males in this county carry guns. When the economy TANKED! The Trash, reveals it's ungly head. Thats been the case since the fall of the Roman Empi No economy, and a back-yard of Meth labs. And red-necks. Its a little harder, to just pick-up and run! And there is NO HELP available! What do we do? We hug our dogs! We hug one another, cry alot! and pray tommorrow will be better. Where is this hell hole? PORTOLA ,California~ Plumas County! When will all this BIGOTRY END? We mean no harm.
Back to top
Name: T. Williams
Date posted: 8/13/2008 6:49:00 PM
Hometown: Portola, California

Comment:
We live in a community, that we are experincing Gay Abuse. We as a couple moved to this community, 5 years ago. Opened a business of extrodinary, quality and Service. I would have never believed such BIGOTRY survived in CALIFORNIA! It's estimated, that 85% of the males in this county carry guns. When the economy TANKED! The Trash, reveals it's ungly head. Thats been the case since the fall of the Roman Empire. Don't say! Just leave! When you've invested a lifetime of savings. No economy, and a back-yard of Meth labs. And red-necks. Its a little harder, to just pick-up and run! And there is NO HELP available! What do we do? We hug our dogs! We hug one another, cry alot! and pray tommorrow will be better. Where is this hell hole? PORTOLA ,California~ Plumas County! When will all this BIGOTRY END? We mean no harm.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

Washington D C View From Washington: The DADT Shuffle

A gay White House employee offered his very first interviews to the LGBT press while Congress took one step forward and one step back on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal in 2010.

Art The Kids Are All Right
Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.