A new review from the Williams Institute reveals that LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. are significantly more likely to be stopped, detained, and falsely accused by police — and many now hesitate to call for help when they need it. Analyzing more than 25 years of research, the report shows queer people are more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to have been stopped, searched, arrested, and held in custody at some point in their lives.
According to the lead author Joshua Arrayales, “Experiences of police mistreatment may discourage LGBTQ people from reporting crimes or engaging with law enforcement…Reporting crimes is essential for accurate crime statistics, proper allocation of crime prevention resources, and support services that address the unique needs of LGBTQ survivors.”
The report notes that police still use tactics such as raids and entrapment, fueling long-standing distrust. One-fifth of LGBTQ+ people reported police-initiated contact in the past year, compared to 15% of others. Trans and bisexual respondents faced even higher rates of stops. Nearly half of trans people said they would hesitate to call the police for help.
