Framing LGTB-phobic incidents in Spain: Beyond hate crimes

Resumen

According to official statistics, in 2017 there were 271 hate crimes in Spain on the grounds of sexual/gender orientation/identity, which means an increase of 17,8% from 2016. Nevertheless, there is an important, invisible rate of incidents on the same grounds that don't match the criminal offences requirements, so they aren't shown in the official data. Recent research developed by the FELGTB (State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, and Bisexuals) reveals 629 incidents suffered by people within the collective reported by different associations. This unrecorded rate is intended to be rescued by using the concept “LGBTI-phobic incident”, which would also include any kind of behavior that involves an assault in a wide meaning.