As crime victims, lesbians and gay men are likely to experience indifference, rejection, or stigmatization from family, friends, community agencies, and society in general. Additionally, gay people face the possibility of further victimization because of society's willingness to condone prejudice, discrimination, and violence against them. If their sexual orientation becomes publicly known as the result of a crime, lesbians and gay men risk the loss of employment, eviction from housing, denial of public accommodations, and loss of child custody. These experiences can be classified as "secondary" victimization. A broad-based response to secondary victimization must include enactment of appropriate legislation, reform of the criminal justice system, and the widespread use of community education programs in schools, colleges, religious organizations, and the mass media. 7 notes and 41 references