Domestic Violence in LGBT Communities

Domestic violence occurs in all types of relationships regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
 

Special Issues in LGBT Domestic Violence*

Many aspects of LGBT domestic violence are similar to those experienced by heterosexual victims. However, perpetrators in LGBT relationships often attempt highly specific forms of abuse based on identity and community dynamics, including:

• "Outing" or threatening to out a partner's sexual orientation;
• Reinforcing fears that no one will help the victim because s/he is LGBT, or that for this reason, the partner "deserves" the abuse;
• Justifying abuse with the notion that a partner is not "really" LGBT (i.e. the victim may once have had, or still have relationships, or express a gender identity, inconsistent with the abuser's definitions of these terms);
• Telling the survivor that abusive behavior is a normal part of LGBT relationships, or that it cannot be domestic violence because it is occurring between LGBT individuals;
• Monopolizing support resources through an abuser's manipulation of friends and family supports and generating sympathy and trust in order to cut off these resources to the survivor;
• Portraying the violence as mutual and even consensual, especially if the partner attempts to defend against it, or has an expression of masculinity or some other "desirable" trait;
• Depicting the abuse as part of sado-masochistic (S/M) activity. Domestic violence can exist in S/M relationships, but it is not implicit, nor unique to this type of relationship. Domestic Violence in not S/M, nor should any non-consensual violent or abusive acts that take place outside of a pre-arranged scene or in violation of pre-determined safe words or boundaries be considered part of, or justified as, a normal S/M relationship.

*This information was taken from the website for the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. For additional information, please read the following report: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in 2002 -- A Report of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. (report on disk)

As an LGBT survivor of domestic abuse, am I able to obtain a personal protection order?

Michigan law simply requires proof of a relationship between the victim and abuser regardless of race, sexual orientation or socio-economic class. Under a domestic PPO in Michigan, the following persons can be restrained:

1. The petitioner's spouse or former spouse;
2. A person with whom the petitioner has a child in common;
3. A person who resides or who has resided in the same household as the petitioner;
4. A person with whom the petitioner has had a dating relationship.

If you would like assistance in filing for a PPO or on another legal matter, please contact our toll-free and confidential legal helpline at 1-888-783-8190.
 

Recent Successes

Lakeshore sucessfully represented a woman in a personal protection order (PPO) case against her same sex partner. Lakeshore's client had been raped and stalked by her partner and had obtained a PPO to prohibit further contact. The clients partner then sought to terminate the PPO, however, Lakeshore was able to elicit testimony from the assailant that resulted in both the PPO staying in effect and criminal charges for the rape.

"Dave" was badly beaten by his partner of twenty years, suffering a broken cheekbone and numerous cuts and bruises. When Dave was taken to the hospital, his partner fled taking the couple's only car, all of their savings and leaving Dave financially and emotionally destitute. Suffering from severe emotional trauma and anxiety, as well as homebound, Dave called Affirmations for crisis intervention. Affirmations then referred Dave to Lakeshore for Legal assistance. Working with Affirmations, Lakeshore was able to get Dave supportive services from the domestic violence shelter and access to public benefits to forestall the termination of Dave's heat and light. Because the energy company was inappropriately holding Dave responsible for his partner's debt, Lakeshore was also able to get the back bill reduced by over $400. Dave said that the intervention of Affirmations and Lakeshore literally saved his life.
 

Resources & Brochures

See our program brochure:

• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (English 100 kb PDF)
• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (Albanian 22 kb PDF)
• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (Arabic 22 kb PDF)
• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (Bosnian 19 kb PDF)
• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (Spanish 20 kb PDF)
• Questions and Answers for Survivors of LGBT Intimate Partner Violence (Urdu English 28 kb PDF)
   

Online Resource Guide

Please note: Lakeshore Legal Aid has not reviewed the contents of the following websites for accuracy. The following links are not intended to serve as legal advice and visitors to this website should not act upon this information without consulting with legal counsel.

Descriptions of the following websites have been quoted from the organization's mission statement, vision and/or profile/history detailed in its web listing.

If you would like your web address included in the listing below, please contact Lakeshore Legal Aid at sstubbs@mlan.net and include the phrase "Web Link" in the subject line of your e-mail.
 

National Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union/Lesbian and Gay Rights Issues
The Lesbian & Gay Rights Project fights discrimination against LGBT people and families. We work to move public opinion through the courts and legislatures, in educational outreach, and by creating tools for people to advocate for change.

Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere
COLAGE is the only national and international organization in the world specifically supporting young people with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender parents.

Communities Against Violence Network
Contains helpful links and research materials on issues relating to same-sex violence.

Communities United Against Violence
Community United Against Violence is a 20-year old multicultural organization working to end violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) communities.

Family Pride Coalition
The Family Pride Coalition (FPC) has for 25 years been the only national non-profit organization solely dedicated to equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parents and their families.

Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, is working to ensure safe and effective schools for all students.

Gay Men's Health Crisis (con materiales en espanol)
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians.

Human Rights Campaign
As America's largest gay and lesbian organization, the Human Rights Campaign provides a national voice on gay and lesbian issues. The Human Rights Campaign effectively lobbies Congress; mobilizes grassroots action in diverse communities; invests strategically to elect a fair-minded Congress; and increases public understanding through innovative education and communication strategies.

LAMBDA Legal Defense and Education Fund
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

LAMBDA GLBT Community Services
LAMBDA is a non-profit, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence.

Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force
The Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task Force (LGIRTF) is a coalition of immigrants, attorneys and other activists who address the widespread impact of discriminatory immigration laws on the lives of those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual & transgender community and immigrants who are living with HIV/AIDS.

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) addresses the pervasive problem of violence committed against and within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-affected communities.

National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Inc. works to build the grassroots political power of the LGBT community in order to attain complete equality. We do so through direct and grassroots lobbying to either help defeat anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and other measures or help push pro-LGBT legislation and other measures. We also analyze and report on the positions of candidates for public office on issues of importance to the LGBT community.

National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Org.
(con materials en español)
LLEGÓ, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization, is the only national nonprofit organization devoted to representing Latina/o lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and addressing their growing needs regarding an array of social issues ranging from civil rights and social justice to health and human services.

National Organization for Women/Lesbian Rights
The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society.

The Network/La Red (con materiales en español)
The Network/La Red was formed to address battering in lesbian, bisexual women's, and transgender communities. Through a) the formation of a community-based multi-cultural organization in which battered/formerly battered lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender folks hold leadership roles; b) community organizing, education, and the provision of support services; and c) coalition-building with other movements for social change and social justice, we seek to create a culture in which domination, coercion, and control are no longer accepted and operative social norms.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Service Members Legal Defense Network
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a national, non-profit legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance.

Survivor Project
Survivor Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of intersex and trans survivors of domestic and sexual violence through caring action, education and expanding access to resources and to opportunities for action. Since 1997, we have provided presentations, workshops, consultation, materials, information and referrals to many anti-violence organizations and universities across the country, as well as gathered information about issues faced by intersex and trans survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
 

Michigan Links

Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center
Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center was founded on the philosophy that "gay is good, you are not alone". This philosophy has expanded to include bisexual and transgender individuals in addition to lesbians and gay men. Affirmations strives to create an atmosphere of safety and acceptance for all people. Our focus is on helping lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals find and develop community where we value and respect our selves and others.

American Civil Liberties Union (Michigan Affiliate)
The American Civil Liberties Union is the nation's foremost defender of the Bill of Rights -- litigating, legislating, and educating the public on a broad array of issues affecting freedom in the United States. The Michigan affiliate is located in Detroit with nine branches throughout the state. In addition to the legal, communications, and legislative departments, we currently have two special projects -- the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Project and the Safe and Free Project.

Blue Water Pride
Blue Water Pride's mission is to provide activities, information and education to foster growth, awareness and pride for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community of Port Huron and its outlying areas.

PrideSource
Periodical focusing on LGBT issues in Michigan.

TransGender Michigan
TransGender Michigan is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of transgender individuals in Michigan. Through education, support, and advocacy, TransGender Michigan strives to transform Michigan into a state where transgender individuals, and their significant others, friends, and families, can live free of hate, violence and discrimination.

Triangle Foundation
Triangle Foundation is Michigan's leading organization serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and allied communities. We have become the dominant force for advocacy and change regarding GLBT issues in Michigan public policy, religion, business, education, and bias-crime victim assistance.
 

Additional Organizations/Model Projects in the United States:

Center on Halstead (Illinois)
The Center on Halstead is the Chicago area's community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. Slated to open in 2006, the new Center building will be the first of its kind in the Midwest.

Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights (Pennsylvania)
The Center is a young, growing nonprofit organization, established in 1996 to respond to unmet needs for advocacy and legal services for lesbians and gay men in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to advocate equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals in Pennsylvania by providing legal assistance through counseling and representation, conducting educational programs and seminars, and seeking policy reform.

Colorado Anti-Violence Program (Colorado)
For eighteen years the Colorado Anti-Violence Program has been dedicated to eliminating violence within and against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in Colorado, and providing the highest quality services to survivors. CAVP provides direct client services including crisis intervention, information, and referrals for LGBT victims of violence 24 hours a day.

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (New England States)

Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project (Massachusetts)
The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project is a grassroots, non-profit organization providing community education and direct services for clients. GMDVP offers shelter, guidance, and resources to allow gay, bisexual, and transgender men in crisis to remove themselves from violent situations and relationships.

Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (Missouri)
The Kansas City Anti-Violence Project (KCAVP) is a Missouri 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation committed to providing same sex domestic violence, sexual assault, and bias crimes advocacy and education.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center (California)
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is the largest gay and lesbian organization in the world. With an annual budget of $33 million, the Gay & Lesbian Center offers the widest array of services to gay men and lesbians available anywhere in the world.

Lesbian Gay Community Center of Greater Cleveland (Ohio)
Founded in 1975, the Center is a community-based non-profit agency working toward a society free of homophobia and gender oppression by advancing the respect, human rights and dignity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. The Center's core program areas are Education, Culture and Wellness.

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center (Wisconsin)
The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is a community-based organization represented by more than 150 volunteers and over 300 members. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for LGBT people in the Metro Milwaukee area.

New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (New York)
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project was founded in 1980 in reaction to neighborhood incidents of anti-gay violence and the failure of the criminal justice system to respond.

Northwest Network (Washington)
The Northwest Network increases our communities' ability to support the self-determination and safety of bisexual, transgendered, lesbian, and gay survivors of abuse through education, organizing and advocacy. We work within a broad liberation movement dedicated to social and economic justice, equality and respect for all people and the creation of loving, inclusive and accountable communities.

Safe Space (Vermont)
SafeSpace is a social change and social service organization working to end physical, sexual, and emotional violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) people. We provide information, support, referrals, and advocacy to LGBTQQ survivors of violence and offer education and outreach programs in the wider community.

San Diego LGBT Community Center (California)
The mission of the San Diego LGBT Community Center shall be to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV communities by providing activities, programs, and services that create community, empower community members, provide essential resources, advocate for civil and human rights, and embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity.
 

International Organizations

International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
The mission of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is to secure the full enjoyment of the human rights of all people and communities subject to discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation or expression, gender identity or expression, and/or HIV status. A US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), IGLHRC effects this mission through advocacy, documentation, coalition building, public education, and technical assistance.