Anti-Queer Violence in Australia: An Intersectional Analysis of Victimization Among LGBTQA+ Adults.

Abstract

Anti-queer violence is a significant criminological, public health, and social justice concern. While international research has shown that LGBTQA+ people generally experience higher rates of victimization compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, knowledge about these patterns in the Australian context remains limited. Moreover, most existing research focuses on overall rates of victimization, rather than on violence specifically related to sexual orientation or gender identity, and greater clarity is needed regarding the specific types of violence experienced, their relative frequencies, and how these differ across subgroups within the LGBTQA+ population. Analyzing self-report victimization data from the largest and most diverse sample of LGBTQA+ adults ever surveyed in Australia (n = 6,835), this article reveals that anti-queer violence remains a significant and persistent problem. Fifty-nine percent of participants experienced at least one form of anti-queer victimization in the past twelve months, and sixty-four percent of those victimized were victimized more than once. We also identify significant variations in victimization types and prevalence across demographic characteristics, including sexuality, gender identity, racial group, geographic location, income, education, employment, and disability status. These findings underscore the need for structural and intersectional responses to address anti-queer violence.