LGBTQ+ Resources

Several barriers exist to addressing LGBTQ intimate partner violence. These include:

• Societal beliefs that domestic violence does not occur in LGBTQ relationships
• Potential homophobia from staff of service providers, or from non-LGBTQ domestic violence victims they may come into contact with
• Lack of appropriate training regarding LGBTQ domestic violence for service providers
• A fear that airing the problems among the LGBTQ population will take away from progress toward equality or fuel anti-LGBTQ bias
• Domestic violence shelters are typically female only, and transgender individuals may not be allowed entrance due to their gender/genital/legal status.
• The dangers associated with “outing” oneself and risking rejection from family, friends, and society
• The lack of, or survivors being unaware of, LGBTQ-friendly assistance resources
• Low levels of confidence in the effectiveness of the legal system for LGBTQ people

• 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime, as opposed to 35% of heterosexual women. 
• 26% of gay men and 37.3% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, in comparison to 29% of heterosexual men.
• In a study of male same sex relationships, only 26% of men called the police for assistance after experiencing near-lethal violence.
• Transgender victims are more likely to experience intimate partner violence in public, compared to those who do not identify as transgender.
• Bisexual victims are more likely to experience sexual violence, compared to people who do not identify as bisexual.
• LGBTQ Black/African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence, compared to those who do not identify as Black/African American.
• LGBTQ white victims are more likely to experience sexual violence, compared to those who do not identify as white.
• In 2012, fewer than 5% of LGBTQ+ survivors sought orders of protection against their abusers.