I'm From Driftwood

It’s so important to acknowledge that domestic violence—including, but not limited to, physical and emotional abuse—is a reality for LGBTQ people as well. 

“When a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person is abusive to his or her partner, we often do not recognize it as domestic violence because of false expectations that men should be able to defend themselves and stereotypes that all women are safe, or that both partners are equally abusive. 

The truth is that domestic abuse is a serious problem and can occur in any relationship.  An individual’s size, strength, politics or personality does not determine whether he or she can be abused or be an abuser.  As with heterosexual domestic abuse, domestic abuse in the gay community cuts across all class and race lines.

Finding safety and support may be difficult for the victim of LGBT partner violence or sexual assault.  Abusers have the additional power of threatening to expose their partners if their partners are not “out” to their families or employers.  A lesbian batterer may work as a battered women’s advocate and have easy access to shelters.  Gay men may not be taken seriously by police or judges who assume their conflict is mutual combat rather than a pattern of abuse.  Transgender victims often confront prejudice from police and others based on their appearance. 

Community organizations sensitive to these issues are good resources for safety planning, crisis intervention and prevention.  The organizations below provide information about LGBT domestic abuse, prevention services and referrals to community resources that are attuned to LGBT concerns.”

IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL THE POLICE AT 9-1-1

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Resources:

Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project
For men in relationships with men
Hotline:  (800)832-1901

The Network/La Red
For lesbian, bisexual, & transgender women in relationships with women
Hotline/Linea de Crisis:  (617)742-4911, TTY (617)227-4911

Emerge
For gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender batterers:
(617)547-9879

Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Community Health
For LGBT victims of domestic violence and sexual assault
(800)834-3242

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
Information on violence committed against and within the LGBT communities                                                                                         (212)714-1184

National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800)799-7233

(via Employee Assistance)

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