Los Angeles County recorded one of the highest levels of hate-motivated crimes in its modern history in 2024, according to a newly released countywide analysis that draws on data from law enforcement, schools, and community organizations.
The findings come from the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations’ annual hate crime assessment, which evaluates reports submitted by more than 100 agencies and institutions across the county. The 2024 report continues a multiyear pattern of elevated bias-motivated incidents, underscoring ongoing risks faced by marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ residents.
Crimes motivated by sexual orientation remained among the most frequently reported categories. While the overall number showed a modest decline compared with the prior year, incidents targeting people based on whom they love continued to rank near historic highs. Most of these crimes were directed at gay men, a trend that has remained consistent across multiple reporting cycles.
Hate crimes related to gender identity also reached a significant milestone in 2024. For the first time since the county began tracking this data, anti-transgender incidents reached a record level. The report indicates that the vast majority of these cases involved physical violence rather than threats or property damage, reflecting the heightened vulnerability transgender people face in public spaces.
Advocates note that hate crime statistics often fail to capture the full scope of harm, particularly for LGBTQ+ victims. Fear of retaliation, mistrust of law enforcement, and concerns about being outed continue to suppress reporting, especially among transgender people and LGBTQ+ youth.
Although sexual orientation and gender identity remain central concerns, race continued to be the most common motivating factor behind hate crimes overall. Nearly half of all reported incidents in 2024 were rooted in racial or ethnic bias. Black residents represented the largest group of racial targets, followed by Latino and Asian communities.
The data also reveal important overlap between bias categories. LGBTQ+ people of color were disproportionately represented among victims in multiple bias classifications, highlighting how intersecting identities can increase exposure to violence and harassment.
National data reflects similar patterns. Federal hate crime reporting continues to show race as the leading motivation nationwide, with sexual orientation consistently ranking among the top categories and gender identity showing steady increases in recent years. Civil rights groups caution that official figures likely underestimate the true number of incidents.
Community organizations emphasize that hate crimes carry consequences beyond physical injury. Survivors often experience lasting emotional distress, disruptions to employment or education, and heightened fear that affects daily life. These impacts can be particularly severe for transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ people who already face barriers to healthcare, housing, and legal protections.
The county’s report calls for sustained investment in prevention strategies, improved reporting pathways, and expanded victim support services. Officials and advocates alike stress that addressing hate crimes requires coordinated efforts across government agencies, schools, and community-based organizations.
As Los Angeles County continues to document elevated levels of bias-motivated harm, the report serves as a reminder that progress toward safety and equality remains uneven and that targeted violence against LGBTQ+ communities remains a persistent public concern.
