Annual Report is Definitive Publication on Anti-Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender Violence

Denver -- The Colorado Anti-Violence Program, in conjunction with the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), announced the upcoming release of its 6th annual report on violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. NCAVP's report is the most definitive such publication on anti-LGBT hate violence in the nation. Information on incidents, offenders, victims and law enforcement response in Chicago, Cleveland, Colorado, Columbus (OH), Connecticut, Houston, Los Angeles, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and San Francisco is included in the report. Pennsylvania also contributed information to the report.

Statewide statistics documenting incidents of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people reported during 2002 are detailed in the report. "This report reflects several disturbing trends affecting the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Colorado," stated Carter Klenk, Program Director for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. She continued, "Despite the hype concerning anti-bullying efforts, tolerance programs, and diversity training, reports to our agency indicate that targeting of some of the most vulnerable members of our community continues unabated. Neither kids nor adults are safe in this state."

According to Clarence Patton, Acting Executive Director for the NCAVP, "This report details a year of the discrimination, harassment and brutality faced by LGBT people in twelve communities and regions across the country." He added, "This year, we focus in particular on changes in the dynamics of hate-motivated violence as the nation moves through the stresses of a declining economy, fears of terrorism, war in the Middle East and surges of patriotism. Additionally, this year's report has important information about anti-LGBT violence experienced by young people," continued Patton. "Unfortunately, we recognize that though this report is the most extensive of its kind, it's still only a snapshot of what LGBT people across the country," concluded Patton.

The only other attempt to collect statistics is made by the FBI, which releases its own report on hate-motivated incidents. "Although the FBI's report covers the entire nation, it falls far short of even our sample," said Patton. "In our 2001 report, for instance, the NCAVP charted 1,943 anti-LGBT incidents, while the FBI was only able to capture 1,393," concluded Patton.