June is Pride Month—the perfect time to recognize the heightened risks of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
Disturbing Statistics
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Violence Rates: LGBTQ+ individuals are five times more likely to experience violent crime than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Transgender people face victimization rates nearly 10 times higher than cisgender individuals. Among LGBTQ+ people, Black individuals experience the highest rates of victimization .everytownresearch.orgwilliamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu
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Fatal Violence: Since 2013, 372 transgender and gender-expansive individuals have been victims of fatal violence in the U.S., with Black transgender women comprising 61% of these victims .reports.hrc.org
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Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes: In 2024, there were 918 anti-LGBTQ+ incidents reported across the U.S.—approximately 2.5 incidents daily. Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals were directly targeted in 447 of these incidents .glaad.org+1axios.com+1
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Youth Vulnerability: LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to witness community violence and experience threats or injuries with weapons compared to their heterosexual peers .everytownresearch.org
Encouraging Kindness and Support
Pride Month serves as a reminder that the LGBTQ+ community needs our support. Acts of kindness, allyship, and advocacy can make a significant difference. Consider the following actions:
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Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and share this knowledge to foster understanding and empathy.
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Support LGBTQ+ Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that provide resources and support to LGBTQ+ individuals affected by violence and discrimination.
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Be an Ally: Stand up against hate and discrimination in your community. Speak out when you witness injustice and support policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights.
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Offer a Listening Ear: Sometimes, simply being there for someone can provide immense comfort and support.Please join HAVEN advocates in a commitment to creating a world where kindness, respect, and equality are the norms for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Thanks for reading,
