Hate Crime

Hate crimes, crimes motivated by racial, sexual, or other prejudice, typically involving violence, have been increasing. There was a 13% increase from 2009 to 2010 in violent crimes committed against people because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or status as HIV positive, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. Of those killed, 70% were minorities and 44% were transgender women. Statistics for hate crimes against the trans*community nation wide are not available since the FBI records national hate crime statistics but just homosexual males and females are included. Hate crimes against the trans* community are becoming more public with news coverage, In 2009, was the first time in the nation that a state hate crime statute resulted in a conviction in a transgender person's murder, the advocacy group Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation reported. Hopefully with more advocacy and education around trans* issues more convictions like these will occur and a declining amount of hate crimes.

* denotes transgender, transsexual and gender non-conforming