Targeted Violence towards the LGBTQ+ Community

From the past to the present, violence directed towards members of the LGBTQ+ community happens all too often.

I, as a member of the community, am often nervous about being at large PRIDE events because of the history of riots, protests, and acts of violence that continue to occur at these events. I read and hear on the news about mobs attacking PRIDE festivals and parades, things being thrown at gay people on sidewalks, gay bars being shot up, and other acts of violence where the community is targeted.

Members of the community are 4 times more likely to be targeted with violence than any non-member. This leaves people scared of being themselves in public and they tend to be on high alert when concerned about their surroundings and safety. Several studies have been conducted and observations have been made to determine that members of the community have a higher possibility to be victims of crimes and targeted violence. There are too many instances daily where an individual is targeted for their sexuality or gender identity.

Not only are LGBTQ+ individuals more prone to violence, but also to verbal hate and public outbursts. There have been several cases I have encountered with homophobic and transphobic people targeting me or my friends just based on their appearance, sexuality, or gender identity. This can be from hateful and judgmental stares to threats and insults yelled across the street. People of the LGBTQ+ community sadly have to be cautious in certain areas and are even sometimes used to these actions being directed towards them.

Even if it's not violence towards the community, there are still hateful acts that are targeted towards the community. From personal experience at my rural old high school, I have witnessed blatant hate towards the community. This comes from students and parents. A year or two ago a LGBTQ+ history banner was hung at the high school I graduated from, its presence did not last long. On camera, a student was filmed making fun of the banner with his friends and tearing the banner up and throwing it on the ground, almost stomping on it. The faculty and students reacted quickly, reapplying the banner back onto to a brick wall. Not long after, another student, again on camera, tore the banner down and crumpled it up into a ball, then throwing it in a nearby trashcan with a smile of hatred.

The videos of the outbursts circulated the school and were posted on social media. News spread quickly and parents reacted contacting the school about the incident, but not for good reason. Parents complained about the banner being "controversial and political." The administration decided to not have the banner put back up, since it "disrupted the learning environment." With hateful students laughing and appalled students screaming in the background, the videos were spread very quickly and even reached several news organizations, like CBS and NBC. The school gained attention for the incident and how the administration reacted to the outbursts. Students spoke out about how the school didn't seem to respect its queer students and their history, they rather abided by homophobic and transphobic parents' wishes. The super intendant and principal were the ones who decided not to reapply the banner of LGBTQ+ history, but students said that it sent out the wrong message. There have been several incidents in my hometown where the LGBTQ+ community is targeted and disrespected in so many different ways, this is only one.

Schools can be a very difficult and judgmental place for queer individuals. Many students will hide their true selves from peers in fear of being judged, singled out, bullied, and/or targeted with violence. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community hide their identity, dressing and acting "normally" to fit societal norms and remain safe. Targeting of the queer community happens all too often in younger education.

Targeting of the queer community happens in any area, rural or urban, conservative or liberal. It's not solely based on the general make up of the environment or their political views, there will always be homophobic and transphobic people in any area and unfortunately queer individuals are forced to be careful when expressing their true selves.

Targeting of the community happens daily and it doesn't matter the time of the year, however attacks and outbursts happen more often during PRIDE month than any other time of the year. PRIDE month, in June, is a time where the LGBTQ+ community comes together and celebrates their differences from the cishet (cisgender heterosexual) society. PRIDE month is when queer individuals are supposed to be able to express their true self and be comfortable with themselves, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, but June is when the community is targeted most. In a month that is supposed to be filled with joy and proudness of one's self, members of the community are targeted and have to be cautious in public. The outbursts during pride month consist of homophobic mobs crashing PRIDE parades, transphobic people protesting trans rights, gay clubs being invaded by hateful people committing dangerous crimes, and sadly more. Members of the community often have to pick and choose when to express themselves and when to hide their true self to avoid violence or being targeted.

Recently, in the last few years, more and more anti-LGBTQ+ groups have been formed, harassing queer individuals, putting the community in danger. The rates of harassment and acts of violence committed by these hate groups have quadrupled from 2020 to 2021. Many of the individuals involved in these groups are also involved in far right political organizations like Proud Boys.

The video below references Proud Boys' attacks and harassments toward the community during drag queen children's book readings.

Hate groups are becoming more and more common in this day and age even with society starting to become more accepting of the queer community, these groups target minority groups like the LGBTQ+ community and POC. This targeting hurts the queer community and makes them feel less comfortable in their own skin when in public, they feel that they need to hide their true identity to stay safe. LGBTQ+ members shouldn't have to hide their true selves from the public and should be able to express themselves fully. I believe that these groups should be held more accountable for their hate crimes and violent targeting. The public should be more accepting of people with any differences from the societal norm and LGBTQ+ members should be able to feel safe, wherever they are.

I do not own these images or videos.