Have you ever been a victim of a hate crime for being LGBT?

Question

What happened?

Answer 1

Where do I start?
I used to travel for work across the western US. When in town, I would usually visit the local gay bar(s). At every single city I have visited (except Salt Lake City - love you folks!) I have had things thrown at me or been verbally assaulted when nearing the bar or leaving it. We're not talking candy wrappers here - we're talking beer bottles.

Granted, this is in no way as serious as someone who has been beated up or raped. But it is still evidence of hate speech/hate crimes. {Actually, come to think of it, I did get slightly beaten up once in Boston.}

Lest you think "I bring it on myself" through mannerisms, I am one of the most masculine people that I know. If there is a leather/bear bar in the town, I will gravitate there. Besides, this whole argument is completely wrong - no one "deserves" a hate crime just for being who they are.

I have also been the victim of police harassment, including phone calls to my residence. I cannot go into the details of that here.

Whew. Thanks for the chance to vent.

Answer 2

Mostly only online, on certain sites where people know about my sexuality. However, one time I was hanging out with one of my 'close' male friends at night and two kids around my age at the time (17) had come up and threw around the usual insults "fa**ots", etc. A few days before that I had read on the news about some Transgendered women which got beat up from some girls. Needless to say I was pretty pissed and flew on them. Sure fighting isn't nice, but for some people a beating is the only way to have their education expanded. Even if sadly against their will.

Answer 3

Yes me and some friends were verbally attacked outside of a movie theater while we were walking in, by a group of teenage boys. I was about 23 at the time. When we came out, the car we were in was keyed with the words god hates fags.

I was so upset at first, but they I realized that it was their ignorance, and bigotry and I had to let it go. That happened in a upper middle class suburb.

A couple years ago, I moved into the city, and have had no problems since..No I only go out to the Jesus land, or the Suburbs if I absolutely must.

Answer 4

I'll just focus on the main ones to save time. The christians attack me all the time with their bible quotes and such and I find that quoting their own bible works here is the best one:
Romans 2:1:
"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

This basicly means they can't judge us because that would make them gay too. You'll see me use that one here on the site.

When I get called a dyke on the street I say thank you cuz I'm proud of what I am.

The only time I was physically attacked was when i was at the mall I went into the bathroom and a guy came in and locked the door. He started banging on the door and telling me to "open up dyke." I came out and tried to mace him but he stopped me so I kicked him in the nutz and left him on the floor. When I came back with security he was gone. I have taken a couple ju jitsu classes since then and am armed incase I should need to deffend myself again.

I am a very out and proud lesbian so I suppose people would say I ask for it. I'm just wearing who I am on my sleave. During the civil rights movement would you say that African Americans were asking for it? NO you wouldn't.

Answer 5

I was attacked on the railroad tracks in El Monte by 4 guys, one who had a 2x4 that he was trying to swing at my head. I barreled through 3 of them and when the last one grabbed hold of me by the arm as I was passing, I slugged him upside the head. It was a close call that could have left me for dead. Oh, and the reason that they attacked me in the first place was because I was with some other dude fooling around on the train tracks behind the bar.

Answer 6

Yes. Twice in the last four months. Wearing coat, levi's, and tennis shoes. Walking home. Quietly. Here in San Francisco. And it appears that it happened JUST because I am a transsexual (that's the T in the LGBT)

Answer 7

Well, I'm not even lesbian, but i support LGBTQ rights. People sometimes thnk im lesbian. One day, in school, i was near the parking lot and this car of girls were driving around in circles yelling at me and threatening to kill me. Making gun gestures with their hangs. Saying horrible things to me. They didn't hurt me, but it scared the hell outta me.

Answer 8

There is a lot of hate here in Kansas, but it isn't a crime here.

Answer 9

Yes ,
every time some uneducated, ignorant,intolerable ,person comes to this board with their homophobic prejudice !

Answer 10

Yes. I had been physically, verbally harassed and sexually assaulted for being "suspected" gay during my high school years.