Community leaders and activists in New York have reported a 46% rise in violent crimes against LGBTQ people in the city. LGBTQ rights activists are now urging authorities to take action as reports of violent homophobic attacks against members of the community are increasing.
In testimonies obtained by El Diario NY, members of the LGBTQ community speak of the verbal and physical harassment they’ve experienced while walking the streets of New York. Gay and transgender victims tell stories of being beaten bloody on their way home from work while their attackers utter homophobic slurs. A young man was even threatened with a knife after being beaten and robbed on 8th ave, in Brooklyn. He expressed being disappointed that only one person stepped in and tried to help him rid himself of the attacker. This was reportedly the third time he was physically assaulted for being a part of the LGBTQ community.
The New York LGBT Network has been receiving an average of three hate crime complaints per week, according to the report. Activists warn that Queens currently is one of the most dangerous boroughs for LGBTQ people. Data released by the NYPD reveals that 338 hate crimes were reported in the first six months of 2022.