Understanding the Prevalence of Hate Crimes Against LGBT Populations

The prevalence of hate crimes against homosexuals is an issue deserving of societal and legislative analysis. Hate crime refers to criminal conduct that is motivated by bias or prejudice and impacts the well being of the victim. Health educators, social workers, teachers, and helping professionals can attest that those who identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual are often subjected to victimization. Research regarding the prevalence of hate crimes against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) individuals is at best, limited. Studies have demonstrated that a correlation exists between the prevalence of victimization of individuals that report as LGBT and other variables within their environment. The purpose of the study is to identify the number of articles, explore, and analyze the professional literature relating to the prevalence of hate crimes against homosexuals to improve practices and change policy to afford healthy living practices for schools. Causal factors of victimization, such as gender deviance (non-conformity) are reported in the findings. Additionally, disparity regarding the mental function of LGBT individuals that are victims of hate crimes and the subsequent effect of those crimes were reported in the findings. Further exploration and research is essential to make implications that are applicable to the majority of the victimized LGBT population.