GLAAD and The Harris Poll's annual Acceptance Index shows a decline in LGBTQ acceptance among younger Americans. At the same time, GLAAD's Trump Accountability Project counts more than 114 attacks on LGBTQ Americans from The Trump Administration since President Trump took office.
Additionally, anti-LGBTQ violence continues to plague LGBTQ Americans. GLAAD compiled the following partial list of incidents of violence from news coverage from January to June 2019. From the horrific murders of transgender women of color to other random acts of violence – this list is a snapshot of anti-LGBTQ violence in America and is not comprehensive. If you've seen examples of anti-LGBTQ violence reported on in the media, contact press@glaad.org.
If you or someone you know has experienced anti-LGBTQ violence, please contact the Anti-Violence Project by calling their 24 hour free and confidential hotline at 212-714-1141 or vsiting their Report Violence site.
January 2019
Austin, TX: A gay couple was targeted and beaten as they left a bar holding hands.
Memphis, TN: A transgender student at a Memphis high school was followed by students who spit on her and threatened to kill her.
Robinsonville, MS: A transgender woman was harassed by a security guard at Tunica County’s Gold Strike Casino for using the women’s restroom.
Philadelphia, PA: A 50-yr-old gay man was attacked outside gay bar.
February 2019
Salt Lake City, UT: A gay man was assaulted after suspect asked if he was gay.
San Diego, CA: Pride flag and monuments were vandalized outside of San Diego’s LGBTQ Center.
Memphis, TN: A trans teenager faced harassment from fellow students at Memphis High School.
March 2019
Queens, NY: A gay couple was attacked by a store owner who was using homophobic slurs against them.
Phoenix, AZ: A gay man was attacked by a group of at least 4 people
Salt Lake City, UT: A gay man was attacked and the incident was caught on video. A judge has issued a warrant for arrest for the attacker.
Palm Springs, CA: A Palm Springs gay night club was attacked. Two people were shot.
April 2019
Brooklyn, NY: One LGBTQ man was assaulted in Flatbush, Brooklyn in New York City.
Oceanside, CA: An LGBTQ resource center’s main entrance was found vandalized with the trans flag found to be stolen.
Kickapoo, MO: A student vandal ripped down a pro-LGBTQ ad while other students laughed and cheered.
Waynesboro, MS: A man was beaten after being called homophobic slurs and left with a broken jaw.
Denver, CO: A trans woman was beaten after leaving a bar.
May 2019
Nassau, NY: A LGBTQ billboard was vandalized at Bellmore LIRR Station without any damage done to adjacent billboard.
June 2019
Salt Lake City County, UT: Various pride flags were stolen from homes and vandalized across the Wasatch Front during the first days of Pride Week.
Lubbock, TX: A lesbian makeup artist was fired by bride who refused to work with her after finding out she was LGBTQ.
Washington, DC: A mob of guys, shouting anti-gay slurs, targeted and beat a couple for being LGBTQ.
Albuquerque, NM: Several motorcyclists vandalized a newly-painted rainbow crosswalk created in honor of Albuquerque Pride.
Norfolk, VA: A woman’s pride stickers on her car are covered up by anti-LGBTQ sticker.
Burlington, VT: A couple’s pride flag on their banister was burned during Pride month.
Sacramento, CA: Windows of businesses in Sacramento’s LGBTQ district were shattered just ahead of for Pride weekend.
Washington, DC: A man with a gun threatened a transgender women near Casa Ruby.
Washington, DC: Three people were stabbed inside a gay bar in Dupont Circle.
ANTI-GAY HOMICIDES
GLAAD mourns the loss of LGBTQ people in the U.S. and around the world who lost their lives to anti-LGBTQ hate violence.
Detroit, MI: Two black gay men - Alunte Davis (21) and Timothy Blancher (20), were targeted, shot, and killed.
Decatur, GA: Roland Peters was shot to death as the shooter used anti-LGBTQ slurs. He was 28 years old.
ANTI-TRANS HOMICIDES AND DEATHS
GLAAD mourns the loss of the following transgender women. For more about their lives please visit the Human Rights Campaign. GLAAD released the 'More Than A Number' report for more information on the epidemic of violence facing transgender Americans, especially transgender women of color, and best practices for reporting on this issue.
Montomogery Co., AL: Dana Martin, a Black trans woman, was fatally shot in her car. She was 31 years old.
Houston, TX: Pinky, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed at a gas station by man who chased her and targeted her. She was 24 years old.
Fairmount Heights, MD: Ashanti Carmon, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed on a residential street. She was 27 years old.
Memphis, TN: Jazzaline Ware, a Black trans woman, was murdered in her apartment.
Cleveland, OH: Claire Legato, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed following an argument. She was 21 years old.
Detroit, MI: Paris Cameron, a Black trans woman, was targeted, shot, and killed. She was 20 years old.
Philadelphia, PA: Michelle “Tamika” Washington, a Black trans woman, was found shot three times. She was 40 years old.
Lumberton, NC: Chanel Scurlock, a Black trans woman, was found shot and killed. She was 23 years old.
Fairmont Heights, MD: Zoe Spears, a Black trans woman, was killed by several gunshots in the early morning, becoming the second trans woman from Fairmont Heights to be murdered in 2019. She was 23 years old.
El Paso, TX: Johana Medina Leon, a trans woman from El Salvador, died in ICE custody. She was 25 years old.
San Ysidro, New Mexico: Roxana Hernandez, a trans woman from Honduras, died in ICE custody.
Rikers Island, NY: Layleen Polanco, a trans woman of color, was pronounced dead after being found unresponsive in her jail cell. She was 27 years old.
If you or someone you know has experienced anti-LGBTQ violence, please contact the Anti-Violence Project by calling their 24 hour free and confidential hotline at 212-714-1141 or vsiting their Report Violence site.