Reports of discrimination targeting LGBTQ jumped 81 pct. in the Netherlands since 2022

Read more at NL Times.

The number of reports of violence and discrimination against people from the LGBTQIA+ community has nearly doubled since 2022. Reports of discrimination against transgender people specifically jumped 51 percent in a year, interest organizations COC and Transgender Netwerk reported based on police figures released on Wednesday.

Last year, the authorities received 4,800 reports of discrimination or violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals. That is a 7.5 percent increase compared to 2024. Compared to 2022, the number of reports nearly doubled, jumping 81 percent from 2,654.

COC spoke of an “extremely worrying development,” pointing to a recent report by the Public Prosecution Service (OM) showing that only six people were convicted of discriminating against LGBTQIA+ individuals last year.

Data from the Transgender Network shows that the number of reports specifically about discrimination against transgender people rose 51 percent, from 264 unique reports in 2024 to 399 unique reports last year. These are reports to the regional anti-discrimination offices and Transgender Network itself.

That is a terrible development, said Remke Verdegem, chairman of the Transgender Netwerk. “Transgender people who no one cared about ten years ago are now being verbally abused and threatened constantly.”

“We want to be a country where everyone can be visibly themselves, whoever you are and whoever you love,” a COC spokesperson said. “We call on the Jetten Cabinet to take action against discrimination against the rainbow community and other minorities.”

The total number of discrimination reports also increased explosively, jumping 54 percent from 26,078 in 2024 to 40,077 last year. The bulk of the increase was due to over 14,000 discrimination reports filed against PVV leader Geert Wilders about a post he made on X.