Let’s talk about LGBTQ+ Hate Crime

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Written By Team T2S

Have you ever stopped to consider what it might feel like if you could not wear the clothes you wanted to wear or walk hand in hand down the street with the person you love for fear of being on the receiving end of hatred and abuse for just being you? 70% of LGBTQ people in the UK avoid holding hands in public for fear of violence.

Unfortunately hate crime is on the rise, around a 100 per week recorded but many more crimes go unreported, with greater visibility of LGBTQ+ people there has also been an increase in abuse and attacks. Some would argue that there is not more hate crime just more people finding a voice to come forward and whilst there may be something in that it really doesn’t matter the key point is the amount of hate crime that people are experiencing when they are just going about their daily lives.

So, what do we mean when we talk about hate crime:

  • Abusing somebody because of the way they look, speak, move, or act.

  • Abusing someone for showing affection towards a partner.

  • Beaten and Robbed

  • Verbal Harassment

  • Physical abuse

  • Threatening messages

  • Damage to property

For all the progress that has been made there is still a significant amount of anti LGBTQ+ bigotry in the UK. Many LGBTQ+ people change their looks, mannerism, and behaviours to try and blend in. How would it feel to not be your authentic self as you go about your day while fearing someone will out you?

So, let’s look at the facts.

  • One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of sexual orientation and or gender identity in the last 12 months.

  • Two in five trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months

  • Four in Five anti – LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with younger LGBT people particularly reluctant to go to the police.

  • Only 1 in 10 LGBT hate crimes are reported to the police.

It is important to remember that LGBTQ+ peoples experiences are unique to them, and some people may be at an increased risk of experiencing a Hate Crime than others this may be because of their gender, race, religion, culture, income level, educational attainment, geographical location.

Currently, the evidence supports that it is transgender people who are at greater risk of experiencing a Hate Crime than LGB people. Unfortunately, a media message of transgender people behaving in a deviant manner within society perpetuates the negative attitudes amongst people and can actively contribute to the high levels of hate crime transgender people are experiencing.

So what can schools do?  

Schools have a clear duty under the Equality Act 2010 to foster good relationships between all pupils, staff their families and the wider community to tackle all types of prejudice, to promote understanding and respect.  Schools need to take a zero-tolerance approach to any HBT bullying and discrimination. Schools can do this by having a robust policy that all staff and pupils understand. The school should have a clear statement of intent that details what actions will be taken against any HBT bullying or discrimination.  The school needs to ensure they follow through and take the appropriate action including reporting hate crimes to the relevant authorities and not turning a blind eye. OFSTED will be asking questions; they may ask if pupils hear the word gay in school what teachers say and do. They will check if secondary pupils have received lessons around HBT bullying and discrimination. They will explore schools’ integration of Keeping Children Safe in Education which identifies cyberbullying, homophobic or transphobic abuse as important safeguarding issues to be addressed in schools.

Schools should be integrating LGBTQ+ identities across the whole curriculum and not be part of the erasure of LGBTQ+ identities from history past and present with greater awareness and understanding it is hoped that children and young people grow up with less bigoted attitudes and behaviours to any form of difference. Staff can educate themselves and by doing this they will be better educated, informed and confident to challenge pupils and other staff whenever they hear or see discrimination and Hate Crime in their school environment and beyond.  

Further Reading:

Team T2S
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