Topic Summary:

 

Throughout the years, violence towards the members of the LGBT community has been an evolving situation. Historically, sanctions towards homosexual acts were applied to male homosexuality. This was based on historic penal codes from British colonial rule where sodomy was a major crime. These acts were penalized by death in their majority. As the time passed, during the 19th century, the penalty was reduced to a fine or imprisonment in some countries. However, the limit was still imposed and they were not fully able to do many of the things they wanted to.

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The number of countries where homosexuality was illegal started to decrease significantly in 2009, where 80 countries still considered homosexual acts punishable, to 2016 where the number was reduced to 72 countries. People’s point of view started to change, and hate towards this community started to decrease really slowly. The people receiving these attacks were considered to violate heteronormative rules which worked as a justification for the violence presented. During the time, sexual roles were strongly defined and the people who did not follow them were considered abnormal and disrespectful to the morale.

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In the United States, the politics changed, and violence against people from the LGBT community started to be considered hate crimes. An attack of this kind is considered hate crime when the victim is previously chosen by the attacker based on who the victim is or his/her characteristics. These crimes were considered to have a significantly greater impact due to the fact that they are intended to terrorize an entire group or community.

 

Study Guide: 

Astrid Arce

astridrce@gmail.com

Amanda Mullins 

amanda.mullins.r@gmail.com