Friday June 11th
5-7pm
@ Pulp on 14th and T St. NW near the U. St. Metro.
Come out and celebrate the launch of this campaign with food, music, art making, and lots of love! Check out Facebook for more information.
Check out our booth, make a postcard, and talk about love. Washington Convention Center, 1-7pm Sunday, May 30th.
A: In some ways it is. The dynamics of abuse have similarities in all types of relationships.
Partners may be jealous or controlling; they may use physical violence or be emotionally abusive. And the decision to leave may be tough for anyone. The rates of abuse are also the same—about ¼ of all people in relationships experience abuse.
But there are also some very important differences. One main difference is the lack of support available to LGBTQ people who may be experiencing domestic violence. There are very few shelters that provide services specifically for LGBTQ survivors. Another big difference is having to “out” yourself to actually report the domestic violence. Sometimes, LGBTQ folks may be afraid that if they tell someone their sexual orientation or gender identity, they may not be able to get support. This all means LGBTQ people have added problems when trying to get help. Another difference is that people talk about domestic violence against straight women on TV, in movies, and in our families. LGBTQ communities often do not talk about domestic violence and deny that it is going on within them.
A: No one should have to lie about who they are in order to get help.
In DC, discrimination is not only unfair—it’s also against the law. However, to make sure you’re speaking with an affirming person, we suggest that you contact one of the organizations listed in our DC resources section. We’ve checked them all out to ensure that they are “LGBTQ-friendly.”
A: Domestic violence is not caused by substance abuse. These are two separate experiences.
Domestic violence is an issue of power and control. Substance abuse may exacerbate the abuse or be used to justify the abuse but it is not the cause of domestic violence. Substance abuse by the abuser is something to think about when survivors are planning to leave a dangerous situation as an abuser may be more violent when using than when sober. For the survivor of domestic violence, substance abuse can be a way to cope with the abuse and delay seeking help. There are substance abuse treatment programs available that are LGBTQ-specific for survivors of domestic violence.
A: Probably not. In DC, if you are interested in getting a protection order, you can file without a parent present.
If you go to a hearing, the judge might decide to notify your parents, but you can always explain to the judge why this might be a bad idea for you. Contact attorneys at WEAVE or Break The Cycle for free legal advice about this issue. If you want counseling help, you do not need your parents to be involved. Contact SMYAL to learn more and check out available services for LGBTQ teens.
A: Violence and abuse are found in all queer communities as well as straight communities.
No group, regardless of race, class, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, ability, education, politics, religion or lifestyle, is free from domestic violence. Being abusive is not determined by size, strength, or economic status. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people who batter or abuse can be friendly, physically unintimidating, sociable and charming. Likewise, survivors across the spectrum are strong, capable and dynamic.
Legal resource center for LGBT Domestic Violence issues with collections of legal information, research, and other resources for attorneys working with LGBT survivors or LGBT survivors who want information about their legal rights. Publications include: “What Rights Do I Have As An LGBT Victim of Domestic Violence?” and “Tool for Attorneys Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Survivors of Domestic Violence.”
Coalition of organizations that focus on violence committed within and against LGBTQ communities including domestic violence, sexual assault, pick up crimes, and hate crimes. See their website out for lists of programs in the U.S. and Canada to find service providers near you. NCAVP also conducts regular
NCAVP is also a clearinghouse of information on violence against and within LGBT communities including annual reports on LGBT domestic violence and sexual assault. Check out their 2010 report with the National Center of Victims of Crime “LGBTQ Crime Victims Neglected by Nation’s Victim Support System, NCAVP and NCVC Landmark Report.”
Make a postcard of artwork for our display project and create a window for others to share in your relationship experiences.
This Web site is funded through a grant from the Office of Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided).
Show Me Love DC campaign identity, Web site and promotional materials designed and produced by Serendipity Creative.
