LOS ANGELES (November 29, 2023) — An annual report has been released today by the Los Angeles Commission on Human Relations revealing that hate crimes have risen by 18% since last year, prompting increased concern for the safety of our Bienestar community.  

 The report reveals that from January to December of 2022, there has been an overall increase of hate violence in Los Angeles. Racial, sexual orientation and religious hate crimes all grew sharply. But racism was by far the most common motivation, constituting 57% of all hate crimes followed by crimes motivated by sexual orientation.  

“As an organization, BIENESTAR has a strong commitment to addressing all forms of discrimination, bigotry, racism, homo/trans phobias, and hate crimes. These issues have a direct negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve” said Robert Contreras, CEO. “We are concerned of the ongoing hate incidents and violence against immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities. As well as the increase in hate violence towards Black, Muslim, and Jewish communities. Hate incidents and bigotry have no place in a civil society.”  

As an organization that services predominately LGBTQ+ Spanish-speaking people and other communities of color who sit at the intersection of multiple racialized, gender and/or sexual identities, we are aware that our community often does not report hate crimes as a result of understandable concerns about how an interaction with the police might play out.  

BIENESTAR is a member of the Hate Violence Prevention Partnership of Los Angeles (HVPPLA) a coalition of organizations that include among them Brotherhood Crusade and the Muslim Public Affairs Council in order to enhance awareness, policies, and with a collective voice speak out on all forms of hate. 

Alyssa Solorza, HVPPLA Coordinator added, “The steady rise of hate violence in Los Angeles requires people of different backgrounds to work together to identify and provide resources to those who are victims to it, no matter their background. HVPPLA came together seven years ago with the goal to prevent and respond to hate violence with a unified voice in Los Angeles County. HVPPLA commits to this effort by providing services to those who have experienced hate violence in any form, including workshops that educate the community about hate violence, help to report incidents of hate, and assistance in locating resources for victims. People who are, or know people who have become, victims of hate can reach out to HVPPLA to get help.” 

This troubling report reinforces the need for increased education and policies that support the safety of the LGBTQ+ community and other impacted groups. As health educators and social services providers, we align with the recent sentiment of Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Admiral Rachel Levine, in stating “…that hate — whether fueled by homophobia, transphobia, or racism — is a public health threat.” 

If you have been impacted by an act of hate violence, we can help. Please contact HVPPLA Coordinator at Bienestar, Alyssa Solorza: asolorza@bienestar.org or the HVPPLA Report Line: (877) 487-7521