Final answer:
Victimization studies identify several reasons for high incidences of violent crime and harassment against gay men and lesbians, including homophobia and discrimination, fear of exposure, and the use of discriminatory legal defenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several reasons why victimization studies show high incidences of violent crime and harassment against gay men and lesbians.
- Homophobia and Discrimination: LGBTQ individuals are often targeted due to societal prejudices and discrimination. This leads to increased violence and harassment.
- Fear of Exposure: Victims of LGBTQ-related violence may fear coming forward and reporting the crimes due to concerns about their own exposure or arrest.
- Legal Defenses: Perpetrators may justify their violence using discriminatory legal defenses like 'gay panic' or 'trans panic,' which can further contribute to high incidences of violence against LGBTQ individuals.