In an atmosphere charged with animosity, the LGBTQ community and its allies find themselves grappling with an unsettling surge of hate. Recent incidents spotlight the gravity of the situation: a Southern California store owner, Lauri Carleton, lost her life due to a violent attack over a Pride flag display; O’Shae Sibley, a gay man, was fatally stabbed while dancing joyfully in Brooklyn—an incident now under investigation as a hate crime.
According to USA Today, these alarming occurrences unfold against a backdrop of escalating anti-LGBTQ legislation across the United States, all transpiring on the cusp of an already polarized election season. Experts are sounding the alarm, emphasizing the dangerous cycle where hatred fuels violence, underscoring the importance of calling out hate as a means of survival.
T.M. Robinson-Mosley, a counseling psychologist, candidly acknowledges the uncertainty of the future while cautioning that the grim pattern might persist before any improvement surfaces. The contemporary American political landscape often operates in stark binaries, where individuals are categorized as either virtuous or malevolent. However, this simplification overlooks the nuance that many individuals on either side do not adhere to extreme positions.
A revealing statistic from the Human Rights Campaign shows that a substantial 64% of likely voters believe that an excessive number of U.S. bills are targeting the curtailment of gay and trans rights. Understanding someone’s identity may prove elusive, yet it does not warrant disregarding their existence. As psychologist Reneé Carr underscores, protecting someone from hate does not necessitate complete alignment in beliefs—it’s not an “all or nothing” scenario. Empathy can transcend ideological differences.
Hate transcends political affiliations. Brad Fulton, an associate professor at Indiana University, notes a significant shift in the contemporary landscape of hate speech and violence. He points to the aftermath of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, a pivotal moment when the swift and unequivocal denunciation of violence was lacking. This void, Fulton suggests, may have emboldened individuals to express their hatred through violent acts, justifying their grievances with violence.
A sense of encroachment upon their space in the world could trigger this perilous emotion. Threats to one’s worldview and identity might incite violence, rooted in the belief that coexistence is impossible—only one perspective can prevail. Chase Cassine, a licensed clinical social worker, acknowledges that those who perpetrate such violent acts might have untreated mental health issues, but emphasizes that bigotry and hate aren’t recognized as diagnostic criteria for mental disorders. Research indicates that hate crimes against gender and sexual orientation are more prone to violence.
Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, underscores the gravity of the increasing threats faced by LGBTQ individuals in America. The surge in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric correlates with tangible acts of violence and an unprecedented influx of anti-LGBTQ bills. This hostile environment hampers the ability of LGBTQ individuals to navigate their lives without peril. Responses to the consequences of hate vary, akin to responses to grief. Counseling psychologist T.M. Robinson-Mosley underscores the array of emotions that might surface—fear, shock, confusion, numbness, and overwhelming feelings.
Coping mechanisms include discussing the events, engaging in brain-stimulating physical activities, and maintaining proper nourishment. Seeking mental health support is pivotal, either post-event or proactively. Following self-care, individuals—whether part of the affected community or allies—hold the power to speak out against hate. This entails holding leaders and elected officials accountable through direct contact or via social media. Silence, warns Mosley, only empowers hate to proliferate.
Mosley emphasizes the potency of our voices at this juncture. Despite the challenging rhetoric, positive sentiments toward the queer community are burgeoning. This upswing, however, stands in stark contrast to the concurrent surge in violence and discriminatory legislation. The LGBTQ community and its allies find themselves at a crucial juncture, navigating the dissonance between evolving acceptance and the disturbing surge in rhetoric, violence, and legislative hostility.
