Transphobic Hate Crime, Intersectionality, and the Evolution of LGBT+ Officers in England.

• In Event: Policing Strategies Across Communities and Contexts

Abstract

‘Transphobic hate crime’ (THC) is defined here as bias- or prejudice- motivated crimes targeting transgender/trans people because of their actual/perceived gender identity or gender role non-conformity. From an international context, the diversity of trans people and the differential impact that intersectional factors have on the increased vulnerability to this crime for members of trans communities will also be explored. For example, ethnic minority trans women are at an increased risk of hate crime particularly transphobic homicides as 4 in 5 of these in the USA are trans women of colour (HRC, 2020). And the definitional issues with THC internationally, its inclusivity and impact will be examined. Finally, THC represents 3% (4,732) of the total police recorded hate crime in England and Wales for 2022/23 (152,758) (Home Office, 2023). Therefore, ‘police legitimacy’ and ‘legal cynicism’ in relation to the evolution of the specialist LGBT+ Liaison Officers/Community Liaison Officers of the London Metropolitan Police Service and their equivalents across other forces and their relationships with the communities they serve are also considered. Thus, a global perspective regarding institutional, social and cultural transphobia will initially be taken before focusing on the development of the specialist policing response to transphobic hate crime in England.

Author

• Joanna Jamel, Kingston University - London