The survey results point to a reality for LGBTQ+ safe spaces in which
targeted hate violence has become common and relentless. More
than three-fifths (62.1%) of organizations surveyed experienced some
type of harassment or violence.
Nearly nine in ten (86.8%) community centers experienced at least one
phone or in-person incident. They were also more likely to be targets of
online attacks compared to other organizations who were not community
centers (78.3% vs 42.3%).
Groups and organizations surveyed that offered programing to young
LGBTQ+ people experienced higher rates of incidents. While 58.6% of
groups and organizations that did not have a specific focus on youth
experienced some kind of phone or in-person harassment, 77.8% of those
that serve youth had this experience.
The presence of white supremacist groups in instigating and carrying
out protests against LGBTQ+ safe spaces is evident in survey responses. Nearly half (47.5%) of groups that experienced protests reported that
they believed white nationalist groups led these incidents.
The Needs Assessment data paints a complex picture of whether and how
LGBTQ+ groups interact with local law enforcement agencies. Just over half (52.0%) of organizations that experienced at least one phone or in-person incident reported an incident to the police.
Nearly nine in ten (89.6%) organizations and businesses want at least one security
measure that they do not have. Planning, implementing and updating security measures takes financial and human resources, both of which are probably in short supply for many organizations serving as LGBTQ+ safe spaces.
