To better understand sexual violence directed toward people who are gender non-conforming or identify as LGBTQIA+, it is important to consider first these terms, which can be confusing. For clarity, gender non-conforming is a term used to describe people who do not express themselves in either of the traditional, binary gender roles of male and female. Some people prefer to use other terms to describe this category, such as gender fluid, nonbinary, pangender, agender, or genderqueer. Given the complexity of gender identity, it is important to discuss the concept of gender non-conformity in its broadest sense to include respectfully those whose expressions of gender reside outside traditional expectations.

The acronym LGBTQIA+ stands for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people collectively. The “+” is used to refer to those people who count themselves as part of this community but do not feel accurately represented by any of these descriptors. This acronym is used in reference to people whose sexual orientations would not be considered heteronormative, or adhering to the idea that the only normal and natural expression of sexuality is heterosexuality.

There is compelling evidence that people who do not conform to traditional gender roles or whose sexual orientation is other than strictly heterosexual experience much higher rates of violence than most other groups, including bullying, physical or verbal attacks, cyber abuse, destruction of property, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault. Gender-nonconforming and LGBTQIA+ individuals are among the most disparaged and harassed people. They also are disproportionately the targets of hate crimes, which may include rape.

There are many reasons why gender non-conforming or LGBTQIA+ persons are reluctant to report such crimes. Many of these reasons are the same as those previously discussed in relation to cisgender (a term used to describe a person whose gender and birth sex correspond), and heterosexual victims, but some reasons are unique to these communities, including the following:

● Fear of being outed—of having one’s gender identity or sexual orientation made public.

● Fear that one’s sexual identity will be mislabeled by law enforcement, medical professionals, or other professionals.

● If the perpetrator identifies as LGBTQIA+, the victim may fear being seen as disloyal or a “traitor” within the community if a report is made.

● Fear of receiving homophobic (or transphobic) responses from law enforcement, medical staff, or other professionals, and of being denied legal protections or other services.

● Fear of having to educate naïve or uninformed professionals or service providers about LBGTQIA+ concerns.

In addition, gender non-conforming or LGBTQIA+ individuals may mistakenly believe that sexual orientation or gender identity is an understandable—or even acceptable—reason to be targeted for sexual assault. The overwhelming theme that unites the majority of reasons for not engaging law enforcement, however, is fear. Fear that seeking help will result in greater harm. From the perspective of marginalized people whose very lives are often stigmatized by conventional society, such fear is understandable. As a support person, it is important for you to acknowledge that these apprehensions have a foundation in reality and are not the result of the victim being paranoid or irrational.

As it is with multiple-perpetrator rape and interracial rape, victim interchangeability is a defining characteristic of LGBTQIA+ or gender non-conforming sexual assault. The individual victim represents an entire community that is perceived to violate cherished cultural norms and values. The attack, therefore, sends a message of hatred and fear to all who dare to challenge these norms and values.

Any misogynistic or homophobic remarks directed toward the victim during the attack serve to reinforce the fact that it is a hate crime. They may also suggest the corrective nature of the assault—that it is intended to change or fix the victim’s sexual orientation—which provides more evidence of the attack’s true nature as a hate crime. In addition, a comparatively high percentage of assaults on LGBTQIA+ or gender non-conforming individuals involve genital mutilation. Genital mutilation is especially likely with transgender victims of sexual assault.

Finally, the overlapping forms of discrimination demonstrate what social scientists refer to as intersectionality. The fact that persons of color who are gender non-conforming or identify as LGBTQIA+ are sexually assaulted at higher rates than other groups is an example of intersectionality. It also confirms that sexual assault as a hate crime may reflect a number of different biases.

While the guidance offered here also applies to the support people of victims who are gender non-conforming or identify as LGBTQIA+, there are two additional pieces of advice that are specifically meant to help gender non-conforming or LGBTQIA+ individuals who have been targets of rape as a hate crime. First, as a support person, you should let the victim know that a gay panic or trans panic defense argument from the perpetrator would be absolutely unacceptable and invalid. This type of defense is a form of victim blaming that suggests the assault was triggered by unwanted sexual advances made by the victim. Used to minimize or excuse the actions of a perpetrator by appealing to established prejudices against gender non-conforming or LGBTQIA+ individuals, this bogus defense essentially characterizes the assault as a case of panic-induced temporary insanity. If this argument arises, let it be clear that the victim did nothing to prompt the attack or justify the perpetrator’s actions.

The second piece of advice has to do with the fact that sexual assault as a hate crime can have a particularly harmful effect on how victims perceive themselves. The feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing that come from being stigmatized are made considerably worse when one is the object of hatred expressed through sexual violence.

As a support person of a gender-nonconforming or LGBTQIA+ rape victim, one of the most important messages you can convey to this person is also one of the most simple: You accept who they are unconditionally, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, and your acceptance of and affection for them are not diminished by the prejudices or misunderstandings of others.