The LGBTQ+ pride fair and parade in the city of West Hollywood in Los Angeles County was the setting from which the state tour was launched this June 1st to ensure that all Californians know that there are resources available when reporting crimes and hate incidents.
“This is the time when we can spread the word about all the wonderful things that California vs Hate (California Against Hate) has to offer, and let people know there is support when they report,” said James Williams Jr. of the California Department of Civil Rights.
The web portal and the hotline California vs Hate set up a booth at the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ Pride Fair and Parade taking place this weekend.
“It is very important for us to be here because there is an intersection that brings together gay, bisexual, trans, heterosexual people and gender or sexual identity does not matter. We hope to provide the support they need if the opportunity arises.”
He said there is still a lot of work to do in terms of educating people about the need to speak out against hate and not stay silent.
“That is why it is the purpose of being here at the front because we can be the voice that raises awareness that there are resources to support them when they denounce hate.”
Williams recalled that Hate crimes can be reported online in 15 languages at CAvsHate.org; and if you call 833-866-4283 (833-8-NO-HATE) you can report in 200 languages.
“We have knowledgeable civil rights agents who will guide them and provide the support they need.”
This weekend, those attending the West Hollywood LGBTQ+ Pride Fair and Parade can receive brochures and information about resources available when reporting acts of hate.
However, throughout this Pride Month, CA vs Hate will appear at LGBTQ+ events in nearly half a dozen different cities to offer resources in the fight against hate.
They will also be at the Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade this weekend; June 8 and 9 at the Sacramento Pride March and Festival; June 22 at the Chico Pride Festival; and June 27, 29 and 30 at the San Francisco Pride Parade and Festival.
Williams added that hate has no color and targets the LGBTQ+ community as well as other groups based on their race, national origin or religion.
“We are here in West Hollywood today to embrace the LGBTQ+ community and let them know there is support when they report.”
Angela D. said that having a pavilion that educates about hate at LGBTQ+ Pride events like in West Hollywood is important because it symbolizes that we are moving towards inclusivity and diversity.
“We are also accepting and recognizing that anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, has rights.”
Kathy Sanchez said she loved seeing the Pride Fair in West Hollywood, a place to educate people against hate.
“I had never heard of this campaign and this effort, but it is very good to have it. It’s a great idea. “It fascinates me and I congratulate them because we need it now that things are bad.”
Pride events serve as powerful platforms to promote inclusion, celebrate diversity, and advocate for equality across California’s diverse communities.
“In California, we don’t just tolerate our differences, we celebrate them. During Pride Month, we are excited to march and support communities across our state in the fight against hate,” Department of Civil Rights Director Kevin Kish said in a statement.
“No matter who you love or who you are, we all deserve the opportunity to live our lives with joy. Through CA vs Hate and the Department of Civil Rights, we want all residents of our state to know that we are a resource against hate and discrimination,” he added.
A year ago, Governor Gavin Newsom launched CA vs Hatethe first multilingual state hotline and web portal offering a secure, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts.
This hotline is administered by the California Department of Civil Rights (CRD), and a direct response to the alarming rise in reported hate crimes, which, in recent years, have increased to levels not seen since the aftermath of the September 11, 2001.
According to CRD, no community is immune to hate and hate crimes targeting people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity have also grown in recent years.
According to the California Department of Justice, hate crimes reported against people based on their sexual orientation increased by 29% between 2021 and 2022, and those reported against transgender people increased from 38 to 59 during the same period .
“It is critical to ensure that LGBTQ+ Californians have the necessary resources and awareness on how to safely report hate,” said the executive director of Equality CaliforniaTony Hoang.
According to the Department of Civil Rights, many hate crimes have historically gone unreported due to a variety of factors, including fear of retaliation, lack of culturally appropriate resources, concern about potential immigration consequences, and mistrust in The authorities.
Therefore, CA vs Hate aims to help address some of these issues by offering hate targets and their communities additional reporting resources through a community-centered approach that does not require interaction with the criminal legal system.
CA vs Hate accepts all hate reports and is not limited to receiving those that are criminal in nature; and whether people report to CA vs Hate online or by phone, they are eligible for continuing care to access resources and support, including legal, financial, mental health, and mediation services.
In the first full year of operation, initial data submitted to the CRD shows approximately 1,020 acts of hate reported to the hotline, including a significant percentage directed at individuals based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.