LGBT Hate crime doubles in four years, survey suggests

The number of hate crimes against members of Scotland’s LGBT community has nearly doubled in four years.

Figures from Stonewall Scotland show 17% of 1,260 survey respondents suffered abuse because of their sexuality this year, compared with 9% in 2013.

The charity's report also shows almost half of trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity in the last 12 months.

Colin Macfarlane, director of Stonewall Scotland, said: “While we have come a long way in the past 25 years, it is clear there is still a huge amount of work we need to do before all LGBT people can feel safe, included and free to be themselves.

“This report warns against complacency and stands as a call to action for everyone who supports equality.

“We now need to work together to bring forward the day when no individual faces hatred or discrimination simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

According to the report, one in five LGBT people in Scotland have experienced a hate crime or incident due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity in the last 12 months. Of those, 87% did not report it to the police.

One in eight LGBT people said they had been discriminated against when visiting a cafe, restaurant, bar or nightclub in the last year