Violence Towards Homosexuals

An appreciable proportion of the population are abused , threatened or assaulted at some time during their lives because of their race ethnicity , nationality , religion , or sexual preference . The root of much prejudice is the inability to tolerate difference and those who are prejudiced against one group of people tend to be prejudiced against others as well . Accordingly , there is likely to be considerable overlap between the perpetrators of violence against religious , ethnic or racial groups and the perpetrators of violence against lesbian women and gay men (Ehrlich 1990

Anti-lesbian /gay violence

is one form of hate crime . Hate crime refers to crime , most commonly violence , motivated by prejudice , bias or hatred towards a particular group of which the victim is presumed to be a member

Violence against lesbians and gay men is often random and brutal . A powerful message of hatred and intolerance is sent to all lesbians and gay men whenever someone is attacked because of their sexual preference Violence is considered to be anti-lesbian or anti-gay when its victims are chosen because they are believed to be homosexual (Harry 1990 . All lesbians and gay men are at risk , as well as heterosexuals who may be perceived to be homosexual . Anti-lesbian /gay violence ranges from murder and assault through to abuse and harassment

The advent of the HIV /AIDS virus has added a new dimension to anti-lesbian /gay sentiment : giving

many attackers an excuse for venting their biased attitudes and deep-seated loathing (Comstock 1991 . Thus HIV /AIDS has been used to rationalise discrimination and violence against gay men in

particular

This paper will present current research findings on the prevalence and nature of anti-lesbian /gay violence and consider potential prevention strategies . However , it is not possible to understand such

violence without examining the cultural context in which it is committed and perpetuated

Homosexuality is ridiculed , feared , despised and surrounded by myth While the fact that violence is a crime and not acceptable is generally understood by most young people , gay bashing is often not perceived in the same way . It is as though by hiding the existence of homosexuality and silencing informed discussion about it , we 've allowed young people the freedom to believe that violence against gay men and lesbians is condoned

The belief system which allows homosexuality to be stigmatised denigrated or ignored is known as

heterosexism . Violence against lesbians and gay men is seen to be a logical , albeit extreme , extension of the heterosexism which pervades our society (Herek 1990 . Like racism and sexism , heterosexism is sustained and perpetuated through societal customs , institutions and individual attitudes and behaviour . This cultural climate provides the necessary ideological support for individual attitudes of prejudice These attitudes vary along a continuum ranging from acceptance

to tolerance , to aversion , and finally , to fear and hatred . Extreme feelings of fear towards homosexuality , which tend to manifest in abhorrence , are known as homophobia

While heterosexism and homophobia provide the foundations for anti-lesbian and gay prejudice they do not , on their own , explain the...