ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hate crime involving members of the LGBTQ+ community have increased dramatically in the past five years, according to data from the FBI.

And the result of that is something self-defense specialist and Weapon Brand owner Brian Anderson says he’s seen firsthand, as more members of the LGBTQ+ community sign up to take classes.

FBI data shows that there were more than 2,400 hate crimes reported that were motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity in 2022.

The only category with more was bias against race, ethnicity, or ancestry. 

“Right now, especially in today’s climate, that community is facing a lot of victimization and bullying,” said Anderson, who served as a Marine before becoming a military training specialist and self-defense trainer. “We have a great partnership with that community, and we have ongoing events and classes because they need it.”

Andy Rivero has been training both mentally and physically with Weapon Brand for two years.

“If something happens, I’m ready to do something about it,” Rivero said. “Muscle memory might kick in.

“I’m transgender, and I think among all the LGBTQ population, we have the highest proportion of people attacking us for literally no reason, so I need things like this.”

Rivero said they faced it firsthand in college, and it motivated them to take the self-defense classes.

“I was using the bathroom with the gender I was assigned at birth,” Rivero said. “This was before testosterone or anything. It was confusing. And I was grabbed from behind by my backpack.”

Rivero wanted to help people who might be going through a similar experience.

They helped start an organization called Found Family Collective that hosts events like trivia night and aims to create a safe space for the queer and trans community.

“That’s what’s helped people feel safe and free and want to help other people,” Rivero said. “We are doing it right, making people feel safe and contributing.”

Rivero said people need help and support from their community now more than ever because of the hate crimes, and their foundation provides support.

“A lot of times when something happens to someone, you want to tell your immediate family or your partner, and people have neither,” they said. “We wanted to make a literal family, and we are doing it.”

While Rivero is actively helping others, they say they have to focus on their own health first, which includes meditating.

“I feel like since the world is so fast-paced and I’m a fast-paced thinker, meditating is probably the most grounding experience,” said Rivero, who found peace and is hoping to help others feel the same.

Rivero's organization has partnered with Weapon Brand to provide self-defense classes for people in the LGBTQ+ community.