Introduction
A new comprehensive review from the Williams Institute reveals a long‑standing and deeply entrenched pattern: LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately targeted, stopped, arrested, and mistreated by law enforcement compared to non‑LGBTQ+ individuals. This historic analysis, spanning more than twenty‑five years of research, exposes systemic disparities that continue to undermine the community’s trust in policing and discourage LGBTQ+ people from calling for help when they need it most.
Persistent Disparities Across Police Encounters
According to the report, LGBTQ+ people are significantly more likely than the general population to experience nearly every form of negative police interaction. Over the course of their lives:
- 51 percent of LGBTQ+ people reported being stopped by police, compared to 42 percent of non‑LGBTQ+ people.
- 27 percent reported being searched, versus 16 percent.
- 20 percent reported having been arrested, compared to 14 percent.
- 19 percent said they had been held in custody, compared to 14 percent of non‑LGBTQ+ individuals.
These numbers point not to isolated incidents but to a widespread pattern of disproportionate policing.
Distrust, Policing Tactics, and a Long History of Harm
The report notes that discriminatory policing is not new. Tactics such as raids, entrapment, targeted surveillance of queer spaces, and profiling based on gender expression have historically fueled distrust between the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement.
This distrust remains present today. In the past twelve months alone, 21 percent of LGBTQ+ people reported a police‑initiated contact, compared to 15 percent of non‑LGBTQ+ people. LGBQ respondents were nearly six times more likely than the general population to be stopped in a public space (6 percent vs. 1 percent), highlighting ongoing patterns of over‑policing.
Why LGBTQ+ People Avoid Calling the Police
The consequences of these interactions extend far beyond the moment of arrest or detainment. According to the study, a significant portion of LGBTQ+ people hesitate to contact the police even when they need help.
- Nearly half of transgender people, 46 percent, reported that they would be reluctant to call the police.
- Only 33 percent of transgender respondents said they would feel comfortable doing so.
- Thirteen percent of LGBQ respondents said they avoided calling police during times of need.
- Twenty‑two percent said they would not contact the police again, compared to just 6 percent of the general population.
Fear of harassment, misgendering, violence, or false accusations fuels this reluctance, leading many to avoid seeking assistance even in emergencies.
Bisexual and Transgender People Face Even Higher Risks
While the LGBTQ+ community at large experiences disproportionate policing, bisexual and transgender people face the highest levels of mistreatment. Transgender people, in particular, have long been subjected to heightened scrutiny and violence during police encounters, including profiling based on gender identity and discriminatory enforcement of laws targeting trans women.
These experiences contribute to long-term harm, shaping how individuals interact with public institutions and navigate their everyday lives.
The Emotional, Psychological, and Health Toll
Beyond immediate encounters, the Williams Institute report highlights the lingering effects of police mistreatment. According to study author Christy Mallory, negative interactions with police can trigger a cascade of psychological and physical consequences, including:
- Elevated stress levels
- Symptoms of depression
- Binge drinking
- Trauma responses
- Avoidance of public spaces
- Fear of reporting crimes
These outcomes compound existing health disparities already faced by LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender individuals and queer people of color.
The Importance of Accurate Reporting and Safer Policing
Lead author Joshua Arrayales emphasizes that when LGBTQ+ people avoid calling the police, it affects far more than individual safety. Crime statistics become skewed, resources may be improperly allocated, and survivors of violence may be left without the support they need.
Without accurate reporting, cities, states, and law enforcement agencies cannot fully understand the safety risks LGBTQ+ communities face. This lack of data undermines efforts to create targeted programs, improve community relations, and reduce violence.
A Call for Reform and Accountability
Advocates argue that addressing these disparities requires more than acknowledging them. Recommendations include:
- Mandatory LGBTQ+ competency and de‑escalation training for all law enforcement personnel.
- Improved oversight and accountability for discriminatory policing practices.
- Policies that ensure respectful treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, including correct pronouns and name usage.
- Community‑based alternatives for emergency response, especially for mental health crises.
- Transparency in data collection regarding police stops, arrests, and complaints involving LGBTQ+ people.
These reforms aim to rebuild trust and ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe accessing emergency services.
A Systemic Issue With Real‑World Consequences
The Williams Institute’s findings underscore a critical truth: over‑policing and discriminatory treatment are not isolated events but systemic issues that have shaped decades of LGBTQ+ experiences with law enforcement.
From the criminalization of queer identities in earlier generations to modern-day profiling, the patterns remain recognizable. Until these disparities are addressed, LGBTQ+ people will continue to face disproportionate harm, heightened fear, and a justice system that does not equally serve them.
Looking Ahead
As policymakers, activists, and community leaders call for comprehensive policing reform, research like this provides the data necessary to drive meaningful change. The findings reaffirm what many LGBTQ+ people have long known: that safety is not guaranteed, even when seeking help.
For true progress, law enforcement institutions must not only acknowledge these disparities but take substantive steps to correct them. Only then can trust begin to be rebuilt, and only then will LGBTQ+ individuals feel confident that calling for help won’t put them in danger.