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UK Research: Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate and Rising Trends

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Hate Crime Statistics die Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate and Rising Trends

The data on UK hate crimes presents a complex picture. Recent official statistics show a 2% decrease in sexual orientation-related hate crimes (from 19,127 to 18,702) and an 11% decrease in transgender identity-related crimes (from 4,258 to 3,809) in 2024/25. However, advocacy groups caution that these figures don’t tell the full story.

The statistics exclude Metropolitan Police data due to reporting changes, which significantly affect LGBTQ+ data, given that many LGBTQ+ people live in London. Additionally, over the past five years, hate crimes based on sexual orientation have risen by around 44% and those based on trans identity have nearly doubled at 88%.

LGBTQ+ hate crime charity Galop saw a 60% increase in LGBTQ+ hate crime victims coming to them for support in 2024, suggesting the official figures underestimate the true scale of the problem. Fewer than one in ten LGBTQ+ people report hate crimes or incidents to police, with half feeling the police wouldn’t do anything.

The Supreme Court Ruling

In April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the legal definition of woman under the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex assigned at birth. The case originated from a challenge by For Women Scotland to Scottish legislation requiring 50% of public board members to be women, which included transgender women with gender recognition certificates.

The ruling determined that interpreting ‘sex’ as certificated sex would cut across the definitions of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in an incoherent way, and that transgender women could be excluded from same-sex facilities such as changing rooms if proportionate.

Many LGBTQ+ people are living in fear following the Supreme Court judgment, according to advocacy groups, though this period doesn’t fall within the most recent hate crime statistics. The ruling effectively forced trans people to use sex-segregated public services and facilities according to their sex-assigned at birth, contrary to their identity and appearance.

Reform UK’s Growing Influence

Reform UK’s manifesto pledges to ban “transgender ideology” in primary and secondary schools, with no gender questioning, social transitioning or pronoun swapping, and mandates single-sex facilities in schools. The party also states it will scrap the 2010 Equality Act and eliminate diversity, equality and inclusion roles.

69% of Reform UK voters believe that trans people should not be able to legally change their gender via a gender recognition certificate, though 65% still believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. The 10 English councils now controlled by Reform have banned the flying of Pride flags, limiting flagpoles to the Union Jack and regional emblems.

Reform UK’s electoral threat has pushed both Conservative and Labour parties to adopt more conservative positions on gender self-identification and transgender rights, framing these policies around safeguarding concerns for cisgender women and children.

Online Harassment and Platform Safety

GLAAD’s 2025 Social Media Safety Index found that platforms broadly under-moderated anti-LBGTQ+ hate content while over-moderating LGBTQ+ users, including taking down hashtags containing phrases such as queer, trans and non-binary. In the UK, coordinated far-right and Christian extremist online campaigns have targeted Pride events with fabricated claims that they are “sexualising public spaces,” with these narratives emboldening physical protests and attacks such as those witnessed at London Pride in 2024.

Two in five LGBTQ+ young people, including 58% of trans young people, have been targets of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic online abuse, while nearly all (97%) have witnessed it. Less than half of LGBTQ+ victims of online abuse reported their experiences to social media platforms, and less than one in ten reported to police.

School Bullying

A 2024 YouGov poll found that 47% of LGBTQ+ youth in the UK have been bullied or discriminated against at school or university because of their sexual orientation, and 25% faced bullying due to their gender identity. Half of those who experienced bullying never reported it, and of those who did report it to staff, more than seven in ten said staff responded badly.

Respondents reported being locked in toilets, kicked, verbally and sexually abused, with some being driven to suicidal thoughts, while others complained of teachers purposefully misgendering and mocking them in classrooms. 43% of LGBT+ school students have been bullied compared to 21% of non-LGBT+ students.

Conclusion

The research confirms the article’s themes for the UK context: rising anti-LBGTQ+ sentiment manifesting in hate crimes, discriminatory political developments like the Supreme Court ruling, the growing influence of anti-trans political parties like Reform UK, widespread online harassment, and persistent bullying in schools. While official hate crime statistics show recent decreases, the broader five-year trend shows significant increases, and underreporting remains a major issue.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate and Rising Trends

Links:

#LGBTQRights #TransRights #HateCrimes #UKPOLITICS #QueerRights #EndTransphobia #EndHomophobia #ProtectTransYouth #Equality #HumanRights #LGBTQSafety #UKNews #StandWithLGBTQ

 

The Lavender Scare Revisited

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Lavender Scare

 

 

The Lavender Scare serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of state-sanctioned discrimination against LGBTQI+ individuals and the profound impact it can have on lives and civil rights. While the UK has made notable progress since the deeply ingrained stigma of the mid-20th century, ongoing advocacy and awareness remain vital to achieving true equality and acceptance. Understanding this historical context is essential for recognising how far we’ve come and the work still ahead to fully support LGBTQI+ rights and inclusion.

The “Lavender Scare” describes a dark chapter in mid-20th-century history, mainly from the late 1940s through the 1960s, when gay men and lesbians working in the US federal government faced widespread dismissal and forced resignation because of their sexuality. This period of repression was closely linked to anti-communist fears and congressional investigations, which falsely painted LGBTQ+ individuals as security threats and potential communist sympathisers.

 

 

 

Key lessons from the Lavender Scare include:

  • Perception of vulnerability:   Homosexuality was heavily stigmatised, with the false belief that LGBTQ+ individuals were susceptible to blackmail, risking national security.
  • Anti-communist parallels:   This era coincided with the Red Scare and McCarthyism, where suspicion of communist ties led to widespread suspicion and persecution.
  • Dismissals and forced resignations:   Many federal employees were fired or compelled to leave their jobs solely based on their sexual orientation.
  • Absence of legal protections:   There were no laws safeguarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation during this time.
  • Social isolation and stigma:   Many affected individuals faced profound social rejection and lived in fear and silence.
  • Impact on civil rights:   The Lavender Scare fueled the broader fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights, highlighting the need for equality.
  • Legal progress:   Over time, legal battles and court rulings began to challenge and curb federal discrimination, laying the groundwork for future protections.

Reflecting on this history underscores both the resilience of the LGBTQI+ community and the ongoing necessity of activism and awareness to protect and advance their rights today.

 

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Why the LGBTQ+ Community Should Be Cautious of Data Collection

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Why the LGBTQ+ Community Should Be Cautious of Data CollectionThe LGBTQ+ community has a historical reason for being cautious of data collection. Here are some key factors:

  1. Historical Discrimination: Throughout history, data has been used to target and discriminate against marginalized groups. This includes the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in various societies.
  2. Privacy Concerns: Data collection can pose significant privacy risks. Misuse of personal information can lead to discrimination, harassment, or even violence.
  3. Lack of Trust: Given historical and ongoing discrimination, many LGBTQ+ individuals may have difficulty trusting institutions or individuals collecting their data.
  4. Potential for Misuse: Data can be used to reinforce stereotypes, justify discrimination, or even inform harmful policies.
  5. Limited Control: Once data is collected, individuals may have limited control over how it is used or shared.

It’s important to note that not all data collection is harmful. When done ethically and transparently, data can be used to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, improve services, and promote understanding. However, it’s crucial for individuals to be aware of the potential risks and to exercise caution when sharing personal information.

 

“Empower yourself and the LGBTQ+ community by staying informed about data privacy.

Share this article to raise awareness and advocate for safe data practices!”

 

 

 

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“Family Escapes Birmingham Gay Village Attack, Seeks Refuge in Ireland”

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"Family Escapes Birmingham Gay Village Attack, Seeks Refuge in Ireland"

Stop Homophobia

A family has fled to Ireland following a distressing attack that occurred in Birmingham’s gay village. The incident involved a violent assault on the father, who was targeted for his sexual orientation. The family shared their experience, describing the trauma and fear they endured as a result of the attack, which has led them to seek safety in a new country. Their story highlights the ongoing issues of homophobia and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as the challenges faced by those seeking refuge. The family hopes to rebuild their lives in Ireland, where they can find a more accepting environment.

 

Gender-based violence and discrimination in Sport

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Dear members,

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has been drawing attention to gender-based violence and discrimination for many years. The Assembly is now working on a report titled “The fight for a level playing field – ending discrimination against women in the world of sport”, which will result in a resolution to be adopted by the Assembly in 2021.

We, along with EL*C, TGEU, and OII Europe, are working to prepare a short submission on the specific needs and struggles of LBTI women in sports, and are looking for inputs to this submission.

Inputs can be:
– focused at the local, regional, or national level, or presenting a full Council of Europe perspective
– focused on LBTI women as a whole or on specific groups within the LBTI communities

The format for submissions is informal, and can include individual testimonies, statistical data, or descriptions of situations and practices affecting these communities.

Inputs are due by 31 January 2021. 

The questions on your email address and inclusion of reference to you or your organisation in the survey are mandatory; all other questions may be skipped if you choose.

Click here to share your inputs via an online form.

Sincerely,

Cianán B. Russell, Ph.D. (EN: they/them, ES: elle/le/*e)
Senior Policy Officer
ILGA-Europe
Mobile/WhatsApp: +32 478 12 0076
Rue du Trône 60, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 609 54 10 • Fax: +32 2 609 54 19 •  www.ilga-europe.org

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – Discrimination

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Discrimination - Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

Tangentially to my visit to the Crescent Arts Centre I was walking out of the centre and saw four booklets/leaflets which all generated from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and covering ‘discrimination’:

  • A short guide to the role and services of the Equality Commission

  • Gender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender?

  • Sexual Orientation Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your sexual orientation?

  • Transgender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender identity?

I am highlighting these booklets/leaflets because the United Kingdom is currently undergoing seismic changes due to our withdrawal from Europe (Brexit). The impact of which we are only just beginning to see, but for those in minority groups the impact is becoming obvious through physical attacks, intimidation and verbal abuse by our an unwillingness to treat others with respect and care.

This disseminates through the rhetoric of many of our politicians, both national and local, and their thoughts and comments are often acted upon by individuals who have been easily swayed by what the politicians have said.

So back to my starting point, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, if you feel that yo are being unfairly treated in a work situation, or in a business transaction (shops, restaurants etc.) then tell the Equality Commission and take action to defend yourself and others. At least if nothing else you will find a listening ear, and a willingness to try and help.

 

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

 

Army law which allowed soldiers to be sacked for being gay finally thrown out

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Express Logo
 

By OLI SMITH

 
 
 

AN outdated legal ban which forced gay men out of the armed forces is set to finally be officially removed from armed forces legislation.

soldiers and LGBT Flag
The law, which prohibits gay men, lesbians and transgender personnel from the forces, was put into force in 1994.
Existing rules state homosexuality is incompatible with military service and engaging in a homosexual act can constitute grounds for discharging a member of the armed forces

The ban was written into law in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 yet has been disregarded since the European Court forced the British government to allow homosexuals to serve in 2000.As such it has been ignored in practice since 2000, yet technically remains in force.

ncompatible with military serviceGETTY

Existing rules state homosexuality is incompatible with military service

MPs have now agreed a new Armed Forces Bill, which legislates for the UK during peace time. The law cleared its final House of Commons hurdle yesterday.The Government amendment to get rid of the sexuality discrimination laws was added to the Bill unopposed.
The Bill, which also deals with changes to armed forces pensions, will now proceed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

laws was added to the BillGETTY

The Government amendment to get rid of the sexuality discrimination laws was added to the Bill

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said the existing rules were “inconsistent with the department’s current policies and the Government’s equality and discrimination policies more generally”.Mr Lancaster said when the provisions were originally put in place it was government policy that homosexuality was “incompatible with service in the armed forces” and therefore people who “engaged in homosexual activity were administratively discharged”.
But since 2000, he said the rules “have had no practical effect and they are therefore redundant”.

The Bill also deals with changesGETTY

The Bill also deals with changes to armed forces pensions

He added: “These provisions in no way reflect the position of today’s armed forces.“We are proud in defence of the progress we have made since 2000 to remove policies that discriminated against homosexual men, lesbians and transgender personnel so that they can serve openly in the armed forces.”
“This amendment is a practical step which shows that this Government is serious about our commitment to equality in this area.”
Shadow defence minister Toby Perkins welcomed the move.He said: “Removing this from the statute book will be a welcome step forward so that the explicit refusal to discriminate against homosexual service men and women is expunged from the service book just as it has in practice been outlawed.
“It is very clear that this is an important step forward and it is one we welcome very strongly.”

Anti-gay armed forces laws set to be officially removed

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By WMNDavidWells  |  Posted: January 11, 2016

By WMN reporters

soldiers
Existing rules state that engaging in a homosexual act can constitute grounds for discharging a member of the armed forces.
And while the policy was abandoned in 2000, it still technically exists in law.
But MPs have agreed to change that as the Armed Forces Bill cleared its final House of Commons hurdle.

A Government amendment to get rid of the relevant discriminatory laws was added to the Bill unopposed.
Defence Minister Mark Lancaster said the existing rules are “inconsistent with the department’s current policies and the Government’s equality and discrimination policies more generally”.
Mr Lancaster said when the provisions were originally put in place it was government policy that homosexuality was “incompatible with service in the armed forces” and therefore people who “engaged in homosexual activity were administratively discharged”.
But since 2000 “these provisions have had no practical effect and they are therefore redundant”.
“These provisions in no way reflect the position of today’s armed forces,” he said.
“We are proud in defence of the progress we have made since 2000 to remove policies that discriminated against homosexual men, lesbians and transgender personnel so that they can serve openly in the armed forces.”
He added: “This amendment is a practical step which shows that this Government is serious about our commitment to equality in this area.”
The shadow defence minister Toby Perkins welcomed the move.
He said: “Removing this from the statute book will be a welcome step forward so that the explicit refusal to discriminate against homosexual service men and women is expunged from the service book just as it has in practice been outlawed.
“It is very clear that this is an important step forward and it is one we welcome very strongly.”
Meanwhile, the SNP’s shadow armed forces spokeswoman Kirsten Oswald also backed the amendment.
She said: “It is scarcely credible that we are discussing this in 2016. It is discriminatory and it is offensive that this provision exists.
“Notwithstanding the fact that it hasn’t been used in reality for a number of years, it is most welcome that the Government are finally removing the provision as they should.”
The Armed Forces Bill legislates for the UK to keep its Army during peace time.
The latest version contains provisions relating to armed forces pensions and to the powers of Ministry of Defence fire fighters.
The Bill will now proceed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny
Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Anti-gay-armed-forces-laws-set-officially-removed/story-28505362-detail/story.html#ixzz3x1a13qaM
Follow us: @WMNNews on Twitter | westernmorningnews on Facebook

United Nations claims homophobia costs global economies billions (VIDEO)

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United Nations claims homophobia costs global economies billions (VIDEO) · PinkNews
The United Nations anti-LGBT discrimination campaign ‘Free & Equal’ has released some startling statistics that show that homophobia and transphobia are still major problems across the world.
The video, titled ‘The Price of Exclusion’, focuses on the cost of global discrimination financially and to the people who suffer under social and legal discrimination due to their sexual and gender identities.

Openly gay Star Trek actor Zachery Quinto narrates the video, and reveals the uncomfortable reality of being LGBT in the world today, including how 40% of homeless youth in major US cities identify as LGBT.
Bullying and family rejection are cited as some of the causes of this high rate of LGBT homelessness.
“For the individuals in question, these are personal tragedies,” Quinto says in the video.
“For the wider community they represent an enormous waste of human potential, of talent, of creativity and productivity that weighs heavily on society and the economy”.

Citing a world bank pilot study, the video claims that global LGBT discrimination could cost a country the size of India $32 billion a year.
On top of this, the video also says that young lesbian, gay and bisexual people are four times more likely to attempt suicide, with the number rising to ten times more likely for young transgender people.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that the video aims to “challenges the myth that the impact of LGBT discrimination is small, or marginal, or confined to only a small part of the community.
“It’s not only LGBT people who pay the price; we all do. Every trans kid thrown out of home or forced out of school is a loss for society. Every gay or lesbian worker denied work or driven to emigrate is a lost opportunity.”

The ‘Free & Equal’ campaign was first launched by the United Nations Human Rights office back in 2013 and has released a number of videos in the past including a Bollywood style LGBT equality music video.
Back in August, the members of the UN stripped LGBT eqaulity from its historic global developement goals agreement.
Watch the video below.

Donation not discrimination: allow gay men to give blood

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The Oxford Student
1st November 2015Adam Hilsenrath
 
Anyone who has donated blood will know that the minutes spent in the (oddly comfortable) chair, watching a small bag fill up with blood constitutes a tiny fraction of the entire process.
12193337_952130414846791_1702033846832314153_n-300x199Before you are sat down, you are tested for anaemia and must fill in a lengthy health questionnaire. The first section on the form, entitled “Your Lifestyle”, is mainly about one thing: HIV.  Whether you’ve had sex with a prostitute or with anyone from a country where HIV and AIDS are widespread, the National Blood Service doesn’t want your blood if there’s a chance of you having HIV. This, most would agree, is an understandable and efficient way of preventing donations from people with infected blood.
Yet it is the final two questions about “Your Lifestyle” which come across as archaic, nonsensical and bordering on the discriminatory.
In Great Britain, men who have had sex with men (MSM) in the last 12 months cannot give blood. Full stop. In Northern Ireland, no MSM can give blood at all, regardless of how recently they’ve had sex.
From one perspective you can see a semblance of logic. The United Nations estimates that between two and 20 percent of MSM are infected with HIV, though, clearly, in somewhere like the UK the percentage will be at the lower end of the scale.  In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that MSM accounted for 61 percent of all new HIV infections, and of the nearly 800,000 people worldwide living with HIV, 51 percent are MSM. Considering that estimates on the non-heterosexual population range from four percent to ten percent, and that over half of these are women, this does point to a much greater chance of MSM having HIV compared with anyone else (about 60 times more than other men).
Furthermore, HIV can take, depending on the number of antibodies the body produces, about three months before it’s detectable. In about three percent of cases this can take up to six months, meaning that HIV-infected blood could be donated without anyone knowing (a serious problem considering that National Blood Service usually keep blood for only seven weeks). The focus on HIV is further understandable when it’s considered that other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhoea, can be detected within a matter of weeks.
However, that’s about as far as the logic will go.  There are, on the other hand, many reasons why current practice is flawed.
Firstly, even if the 12 month window was kept to ensure that no one was inadvertently donating blood with HIV, under the current system there’s no space for those MSM who’ve had protected sex. Condom or no condom, MSM cannot give blood. On the other hand, heterosexual men, or any woman, can donate blood even if they sleep with a new partner every night without any protection.
Secondly, MSM in long-term relationships are also excluded. Two men who have been exclusively dating for years can often have unprotected sex, sure in the knowledge that neither man carries STDs and is unlikely to acquire one. But again, under present regulations there is no “I am in a long-term, exclusive relationship” box, and so blood cannot be donated.
Thirdly, sceptics might argue that some vindictive people might knowingly donate HIV-infected blood and that, because MSM are more likely to have HIV anyway, all MSM donations should be prohibited. If we, for a moment, ignore the crass offensiveness of this argument, one should bear in mind that anyone vindictive enough to donate HIV-positive blood would show up on the blood tests done automatically on all donations (because if they know they have HIV, then it’s already passed the three-sixth month period).  What’s more, good-natured MSM who want to donate blood can already lie if they know they’re HIV-free.
At present, we are operating on decades-old blanket assumptions, which unnecessarily bar certain individuals from making a valuable contribution to society.  Research on the correlation between MSM in long-term relationships and rates of HIV possession is yet to be done.
There is a simple remedy. If the law were altered so that any MSM who has either been in a relationship as long as the 12 month waiting period or has had adequately protected sex could donate blood, then the system would still prevent the possibility of HIV donations without unnecessary levels of discrimination.
It has been tried before. Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, has campaigned on a number of occasions for such a legal amendment, but has always lacked support, though I can’t understand why. This is not only an issue of discrimination, but also of public health and liberty.
The current law is fundamentally outdated and homophobic, and at a time when blood stocks are low and the NHS in constant need of donations, it is irresponsible that people who want to save the lives of others are not allowed to do so.

IMAGE/ Mattbuck