Out in the Mountains, June 1987

NGLTF Reports Increase in Violence

Chelsea, VT & San Francisco Meet in Music

NLGTF Reports Increase in Violence

Reports of violence and harassment against lesbians and gay men more than doubled in 1986 from the level reported in 1985, according to a report released by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, (NGLTF). A total of 4,946 incidents were reported to NGLTF in 1986, as compared with 2,042 incidents documented the year before. Directed against persons because they are gay or lesbian or perceived to be so, these incidents included verbal harassment, intimidation, assault, police abuse, vandalism, arson, bomb threats, and murder. The reported violence was perpetrated by lone individuals, gangs, and organized hate groups--including the KKK and neo-Nazi organizations. Victimization occurred in a variety of settings--on the street, in school, on campus, in jail and prison and even in the home.

Anti-gay attacks reported to NGLTF in 1986 included the following:

* In Morristown, New Jersey, three men beat and slashed a gay man, extinguished a cigarette in his face, tied him to the back of a truck, and drove the truck --dragging him along a dirt road.

* In Portland, Maine, an assailant called three women anti-lesbian epithets and assaulted them, leaving one of the victims with a fractured jaw, broken teeth, and bruised ribs. The other victims also sustained injuries requiring medical attention.

*In Boston, a gay man leaving a local gay bar was abducted by three assailants and raped with bottles, lighted matches, and other implements. The assailants repeated to the victim that "this is what faggots deserve."

The rising tide of reported violence occurs at a time of widespread attacks against Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Jewish Americans. Observed Kevin Berrill, Director of NGLTF's Anti-Violence Project, "the killing of a Black teenager in Howard Beach, growing attacks upon Asian immigrants and their businesses, hundreds of documented anti-Semitic incidents, and other types of hate crimes suggest that tolerance of individual and group differences in America is on the decline."

Most of the groups reporting to NGLTF indicated that fear and hatred associated with AIDS had exacerbated the violence. References to AIDS were made by perpetrators in 681 or 14% of the incidents documented in 1986. "The AIDS crisis has clearly fanned the flames of anti-gay bigotry," said Berrill, "but it is unclear whether and to what extent 'AIDS backlash' is distinct from--or another manifestation of--this bigotry."

The NGLTF report was highly critical of the official response to anti-gay/lesbian violence on the national, state, and local level. "For several years we have pressed the federal government to respond to the violence yet the actual response has been denial and neglect," said Jeff Levi, NGLTF Executive Director. Some state and local governments were praised for their efforts to address the lesbian/gay violence in their communities.

Local groups are urged to compile statistics on anti-lesbian/gay incidents and to report them to NGLTF. To obtain incident report forms, or other information on organizing against violence, contact the NC3LTF Anti-Violence Project, 1517 U Street, N.W., Washington, D.C 20009.
Those without local resources can make a report to the National Gay and Lesbian Crisisline at 800/221-7044 (212/807-6016 in NY state) 3-9 pm. Victims can also seek help from the National Organization for victim assistance hotline, 202/393-6682, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.