NCJ Number
104229
Date Published
1985
Length
48 pages
Annotation
In March 1984, 500 questionnaires examining violence and discrimination against lesbians, gays, and bisexuals were mailed to the membership of the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force.
Abstract
Analysis of 167 usable responses indicated that the sample was predominantly white, highly educated, and had an average age of 35, thus meeting the profile of individuals who generally should be least likely to be victimized. Despite this, 8 percent of males and 26 percent of females had experienced employment, housing, or public accommodation discrimination in the 18 months since the enactment of an amendment outlawing such discrimination. Further, 29 percent of males and 39 percent of females had experienced discrimination at some point in their lives, and 39 percent of females and 63 percent of males had experienced criminal violence related to their sexual orientation at some point in their lives. Only a small proportion of those experiencing such discrimination or criminal violence reported their cases to the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations or to the police. Finally, 72 percent of males and 96 percent of females continue to fear employment discrimination despite legal protections. Results are similar to those of other studies: as elsewhere, antigay and antilesbian violence and discrimination are major problems in Philadelphia. A facsimile of the questionnaire is appended. 4 tables, 16 figures, and 6 references.