In its annual report published Wednesday, the association notes in particular that 45% of this violence was carried out against men perceived as gay or bisexual.
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A year “extremely worrying”. In total, 2,377 cases of discrimination against LGBT+ people were recorded in 2023, warns the SOS homophobia association in its annual report published Wednesday May 15. An increase compared to 2022, a year during which 1,506 testimonies were recorded. The figures published by the association come from the processing of 2,085 testimonies received by SOS homophobia (a story that can refer to several forms of discrimination), via its listening and support systems for victims.
If this increase is partly attributable to a new calculation method, “it’s especially the trends that worry” SOS homophobia, underlines Julia Torlet, president and spokesperson of the association. “The first months of 2024 confirm this trend (…) These figures are increasing, but they are not exhaustive, because not everyone has the reflex to testify.she regrets. “Despite our count and that of the government, we still cannot get a complete view of LGBTIphobia*”.
“LGBTIphobia is not just attacks that cause harm. It is violence that has consequences, for example loss of work or housing.”
Julia Torletpresident of SOS homophobia
In detail, 45% of this violence was carried out against men perceived as gay or bisexual, with “an increase in the phenomenon of ambushes”, which consists of trapping and attacking homosexual people, notes Julia Torlet. Furthermore, 21% of this violence targeted trans people (mostly young people and trans women) and 11% lesbian people. “There have been few testimonies from lesbian or bi women, which demonstrates the lack of legitimacy to speak out on discslived riminations of this part of the community”analyzes Julia Torlet.
The association also notes an increase in online discrimination, with 544 cases reported in 2023, or 23% of reports. This resurgence is explained, according to SOS homophobia, by the “change of direction at Twitter, now X”with “a significant drop in moderation”which allowed “the proliferation of hate speech” on the social network. Wider, “on the internet and social networks, disinformation and transphobic speeches are amplified”points out the association, which states that“a quarter of cases of transphobia” took place online in 2023.
These transphobic discourses are not only conveyed online. “Not only is the word of hatred publicized, but it takes on intellectual trappings, as with the publication of the book Transmania“denounces Julia Torlet. “This hateful speech hides behind scientific discourse, and it is present in political institutions”she continues, citing the bill from LR senators wanting to prohibit gender transitions among minors, which will be examined from May 28 at the Luxembourg Palace. “Transphobia is no longer just said, it is put to the vote”regrets Julia Torlet.
*The acronym LGBTI includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.