Amnesty International report: widespread police mistreatment of US gays

[kweerwolf]

In the most comprehensive report of its kind to date, Amnesty International (AI) reveals that police mistreatment and abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people is widespread throughout the USA and goes largely unchecked due to underreporting and unclear, under-enforced or non-existent policies and procedures.

“Across the country, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people endure the injustices of discrimination, entrapment and verbal abuse as well as brutal beatings and sexual assault at the hands of those responsible for protecting them ­ the police,” said Dr. William F. Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA).

“Some, including transgender individuals, people of colour and the young suffer disproportionately, especially when poverty leaves them vulnerable to homelessness and exploitation and less likely to draw public outcry or official scrutiny.

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In its 150-plus page report, Stonewalled: police abuse and misconduct against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the United States, AI focuses on four cities ­ Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Antonio ­ and surveys the 50 largest police departments in the country, as well as Washington, D.C., about LGBT policies and practices. It also includes information from several hundred interviews and testimonies.

http://www.pageoneq.com/news/2005/gay_cops_abuse_092205.html