New Study Reveals Disparities in Hate Act Experiences Across California

Transgender, gender-expansive, and racial minority groups face disproportionately high rates of hate incidents

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) has found significant disparities in the rates of hate acts experienced by different demographic groups in California. The study, which analyzed data from the 2023 and 2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), showed that transgender and gender-expansive individuals, as well as racial and ethnic minorities, faced much higher rates of hate incidents compared to the general population.

Why it matters

This research highlights the need for targeted interventions and support services to address the serious mental and physical health consequences that can result from experiencing or witnessing hate acts. The findings also underscore the importance of collecting comprehensive data to better understand the scope of the problem and direct resources to the communities most impacted.

The details

The study found that more than 1 in 4 (26%) transgender and gender-expansive Californians experienced a hate act in the previous year, more than three times the rate for cisgender individuals (8%). Among racial and ethnic groups, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (18%), Black or African American (16%), and multiracial (16%) Californians had the highest rates of hate acts. The study also found that adults with unstable housing (20%) and those with disabilities (12%) experienced hate incidents at much higher rates than the general population (7%).

  • The study used data from the 2023 and 2024 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).
  • The California Department of Justice estimates that reported hate crimes increased by 142% between 2015 and 2024.

The players

UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR)

A research center that conducts studies on health policy and population health issues in California.

Alex Bates

CHIS senior data analyst and lead author of the study.

Susan Babey

Director of research at the UCLA CHPR and co-author of the study.

California Civil Rights Department

The state agency that began sponsoring questions on the annual CHIS to better understand the impact of hate acts across California.

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What they’re saying

“Hate is not felt equally among people in California. Our study's findings about how different groups are affected by hate are critically important for knowing how to address the serious negative mental and physical health consequences that experiencing or witnessing hate acts can have.”

— Alex Bates, CHIS senior data analyst and lead author of the study (Mirage News)

“Without this information, it would be so much more difficult to create and direct resources to the areas and people that could most use the help.”

— Susan Babey, Director of research at the UCLA CHPR and co-author of the study (Mirage News)

What’s next

The study recommends providing non-police options for reporting hate acts and accessing victim support, due to historic distrust between some communities and law enforcement.

The takeaway

This research underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions and support services to address the disproportionate impact of hate acts on vulnerable populations in California, including transgender, gender-expansive, and racial minority groups, as well as those with disabilities and unstable housing.