Cases of homosexual homicides are commonplace. They involve murder of a homosexual, gay or lesbian, by their adversaries who may be of either sex. Victims in a lesbian relationship are murdered by another female. Knight (2004) notes that murders by homosexuals are very common and most of the times they involve both sexes, either as the victims or the assailants. Rocke (1996) adds that the number of homicides that are attributed to transient attachments, which in many instances result to jealousy, suspicion and murder, are very high in the United States. When homosexual murders occur they are overly brutal and characterized with an overkill appearance (Knight, 2004). Overkill in homosexuals and many lesbians is some form of sadist’s crime. Additionally, multiple stabbings and many other brutal injuries are very common with the victims. Meyer (2000) notes that many homosexual slayers lack a monopoly on violence, and most of their crimes are extremes of overkill and mutilation. Thus although many homosexuals often fall prey to gay bashing, most of them are likely to be murdered by another homosexual in love triangle crimes in relation to the accidental hate crimes associated with the bigoted straight men (Meyer, 2000).
The evolutionary gay gene theory tries to explain the prevalence of gay murders. The theory argues that most murders are an effect of the genetic purpose by the gay couples to promote murders of the genetically dissimilar persons, which results from the impossibility of promoting births of genetically similar individuals (Lee, 2003). If the theory is anything to go by, then it explains why many homosexuals are more likely to murder. However the aspect of the gay theory has always been suppressed as it may create some scientifically supported homophobia amongst many people including its proponents (Lee, 2003). Studies from the U.S. department of Bureau of Justice report that almost 83% of homosexuals have been emotionally abused by emotional partners (Meyer, 2000). Moreover, it is reported that up to 11 per cent homosexual women and 23 per cent of men in similar relationships have been victims of stalking, rape or assault from another partner (Meyer, 2000).
The prevalence of violence cases among homosexuals is reported to be double that of heterosexuals as reported by the government of Canada (Lee, 2003). Research by psychologists also notes that most homosexual partnerships are significantly more prone to dissolution in comparison to heterosexual marriages. The average homosexual relationship lasts for only two to three years. Lee (2003) notes the following in regard to homosexual marriages: domestic abuse is more rampant in the homosexual union but it is underreported. Additionally, male sex domestic violence has continually been reported in couples where one or both partners are HIV positive. Further, most homosexual marriages are distinguished by intimate partner abuse and violence; this includes humiliation and threatening to disclose HIV status, failure to attend the recommended therapies and later passing on the anger to other family members and pets (Lee, 2003).
In conclusion, both rape homicides and homosexually related homicides are very difficult to prove, despite the evolution in technology in relation to DNA “rape kits”. For a case to be ruled as a sexual homicide or rape, the examined areas need to indicate signs of bruising, tearing and scratching. Thus forensic psychologists need to be very proficient in the examination of the case. Most reported homosexual murders, whether gay bashings or the love triangle cases, characterize victims who have broken ribs resulting from thorough thrashings.
References
Knight, B. (2004). Forensic pathology. Arnold Publishers: London.
Lee, C. (2003). Murder and the reasonable man: Passion and fear in the criminal courtroom. New York, NY: NYU Press.
Meyer, M. (2000). Literature and homosexuality. New York: Routledge.
Rocke, M. (1996). Forbidden friendships, homosexuality and male culture in renaissance Florence. Oxford University Press.