As the FBI reports a 26% spike in LGBTQ-related hate crimes, your voice and actions are more important than ever.
Mondays are tough enough without bad news, but this is something we can’t afford to ignore. The FBI’s latest report paints a sobering picture: hate crimes targeting the LGBTQ+ community soared in 2023, with over 2,400 incidents based on sexual orientation—a sharp rise from the previous year1. Of those, more than 400 targeted transgender individuals, underscoring the vulnerability of this group.
These aren’t just numbers—they represent real people, enduring threats and violence simply because of who they are. This surge isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s fueled by rising political rhetoric, increasingly hostile legislation, and a cultural landscape where queer and trans lives are constantly under attack.
The Driving Forces Behind the Surge
The rise in violence is closely linked to harmful political discourse and anti-LGBTQ+ policies proliferating across the U.S. From school board meetings to state legislatures, discriminatory rhetoric is emboldening extremists and normalizing hate2. When public figures demonize LGBTQ+ individuals—particularly trans people—it trickles down, creating a more dangerous environment for everyone in the community.
For Black trans women, the situation is even more precarious. Research by the Human Rights Campaign shows that Black trans women are disproportionately affected by both systemic discrimination and targeted violence. These are not isolated incidents—they reflect a broader, deeply ingrained societal issue that demands immediate attention.
Here’s What You Can Do Today
While these statistics are alarming, we aren’t powerless. There are concrete steps each of us can take to help reverse this dangerous trend and protect both ourselves and the LGBTQ+ community at large.
- Advocate for Stronger Legal Protections: Contact your local and federal lawmakers to demand comprehensive hate crime legislation that specifically includes LGBTQ+ protections. The more voices they hear from, the harder it is to ignore. Groups like the ACLU and Lambda Legal provide easy-to-use tools for contacting representatives and pushing for change.
- Support Advocacy Organizations: On-the-ground groups like Lambda Legal, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National LGBTQ Task Force are already leading the fight for better protections and rights. You can support them through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about their work to amplify their efforts.
- Raise Awareness: Engage your networks—both online and in person. Share information about the rising violence, including real stories and statistics, to highlight how serious and widespread this issue is. This isn’t someone else’s problem—it affects all of us, and the more people are aware, the greater our collective impact will be.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
We’re at a pivotal moment. The rise in hate crimes isn’t just a sad reflection of the current climate—it’s a wake-up call. It’s time to push back harder than ever. Advocacy and action are the keys to building a safer future for the LGBTQ+ community.
It may be a heavy start to the week, but that means there’s plenty of time to take action. Whether it’s by contacting lawmakers, supporting key organizations, or speaking up in your own circles, the power to turn the tide is in our hands.
Safety, dignity, and equality are not privileges—they’re rights. Now is the time to make sure they’re protected.