Violence against
LGBT individuals drops by the double digits

After a flare-up of violence against LGBT individuals in 2003 and 2004, reported anti-LGBT attacks dropped 13% in 2005, according to a report released Thursday.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs examined data from almost 2,000 hate-related incidents in 13 cities, states, and regions across the country. The areas included large metropolitan centers like New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Cleveland as well as more rural areas in Massachusetts, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

The statistics indicated a 15% drop in murders, from 13 in 2004 to 11 in 2005. The total number of victims of LGBT violence dropped from 2,617 in 2004 to 2,301 in 2005. The report noted that all areas studied showed declines in LGBT violence, except Cleveland, Houston, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

The study's results show a sea change in violence against LGBT people. For example, violence against LGBT individuals rose 26% after the Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court decision in 2003 that decriminalized gay sex.

"This year's report can be viewed as an indication that after almost two years of wholesale attacks on LGBT individuals, communities, and families, 2005 offered a respite of sorts for our community's experience with hate violence," said Clarence Patton of the NCAVP. (TheAdvocate)