Los Angeles LGBT Center Responds to 2014 Hate Crime Report - Los Angeles LGBT Center

LOS ANGELES, September 24, 2015—In response to the 2014 Hate Crime Report released today by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations which documented an uptick in hate crimes against LGBT people, Christopher Argyros, Manager of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Anti-Violence Project, issued the following statement:

“It’s no surprise to us that this year’s report shows violence against LGBT people continues to be one of the most common types of hate crime. The report shows how the number of incidents of anti-LGBT violence have remained relatively steady over the last 10 years, despite increases in public acceptance of LGBT people, and we continue to have a steady stream of hate crime survivors seek services and support at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

“Alarmingly, one-third of the reported hate crimes occurred at the homes of the survivors; this is consistent with reports from Center clients. Nearly every day we receive calls from people who are being harassed, threatened, and even attacked where they live—usually by neighbors and apartment managers. It is remarkably common. Because of the housing crisis, most people can’t just move, especially if they are living in rent controlled apartments or subsidized housing. And we rarely hear about landlords stepping up to evict a violent tenant or firing a homophobic manger. This is a huge issue.”