GLAAD RELEASES STATEMENT, DATA ON RISE OF ANTI-LGBTQ HATE FOR SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING, “A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE: STEMMING THE TIDE OF HATE CRIMES IN AMERICA”

GLAAD: “The path to a safer future for all Americans necessitates that we act now to stem the tide of hate crimes and hate-fueled violence. We are committed to uplifting the voices of LGBTQ people and all others impacted by this hate – and we urge you to join us in this fight.”

(New York, NY – September 16, 2024) – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, has submitted a public comment for Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee, “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America.” Read the full statement here.

GLAAD provided data for the committee on the dramatic rise of anti-LGBTQ incidents in the US:

• Anti-LGBTQ incidents in the US rose 112% year-over-year, according to GLAAD’s data between June 2022 – June 2024. 
• These incidents resulted in at least 21 deaths and 160+ injuries, including the mass shooting at Club Q and the tragic deaths of Lauri Carleton, O’Shae Sibley, and Nex Benedict.
• Over 30% of all incidents were specifically motivated by hate targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people.
• The data also includes hundreds of violent attacks, death threats, and acts of vandalism aimed at the drag events, schools, libraries, and health care facilities that offer safe spaces for LGBTQ people.
• The Senate hearing comes one week after the Department of Justice announced the arrest of two leaders of the Terrorgram Collective – a transnational white supremacist accelerationist group which solicited members to commit attacks including the deadly mass shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Slovakia, a fatal knife attack near a mosque in Turkey, and planned attacks on US energy facilities and other “enemies of the white race.”

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis wrote to Committee Members:
“The path to a safer future for all Americans necessitates that we act now to stem the tide of hate crimes and hate-fueled violence. We are committed to uplifting the voices of LGBTQ people and all others impacted by this hate – and we urge you to join us in this fight.”

Additional Research:

• GLAAD’s 2024 Accelerating Acceptance report shows that 89% of non-LGBTQ Americans believe LGBTQ people should have the freedom to live their lives and not be discriminated against. 
• GLAAD’s 2024 Social Media Safety Index (SMSI) gave all major social media platforms failing grades when it comes to issues of LGBTQ safety, privacy, and expression.