Unfortunately, gays and lesbians in America are still being harassed because of their sexual preferences. Hate crimes, or "gay-bashing," have been on the rise in this country, and others, since the early 1990s. This paper will discuss the political, legal and social issues related to hate crimes against lesbians and gays, as well as gay bashing. The discussion will include an analysis of the problems created by gay bashings and will also highlight some of the most publicized assaults and murders of gay victims which have occurred in recent years. In addition, this paper will outline some of the legislation which certain states and communities are considering in response to the rise in gay- bashing incidents. Moreover, the paper will present the arguments for and against the proposed legislation. The paper will also suggest some solutions for curtailing the recent increase in the violent acts against gays and lesbians in America.
Most members of the gay and lesbian community can recall at least one incident in which they were ridiculed or embarrassed by someone else after having revealed their sexual preference to that person. As one gay high school student put it, he has experienced so much bigotry over the fact that he is gay that he actually tried to commit suicide because he did not feel accepted by his peers. The gay teenager said his lifestyle is not a choice, but just part of him (Tarshis, 1992, p. 7). But being gay or lesbian is a something that a lot of Americans still have trouble with, as is evidenced by the recent increase of embarrassing incidents and accounts of ridicule into actual assaults and crimes against gays and lesbians. A new fad had emerged in states like Texas, where even some teenagers consider murdering gay men fashionable.
Some statistics show that, as between gay men and lesbian women, violent assaults against lesbian women increased during the 1980s, but similar crimes against men, incl...