June is LGBTQ Pride Month, when lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning people and their allies celebrate diversity, progress, and pride. This month Joyful Heart reaffirms our support for survivors of all sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions.

Sexual and domestic violence can happen in all different relationships and to anyone, and respecting survivors’ diverse identities and experiences is essential. We support healing practices that recognize and affirm different aspects of survivors’ lives, including whether they identify as LGBTQ.

In observance of LGBTQ Pride Month, here are five things to know about sexual and domestic violence in LGBTQ communities. 

1. Violence happens in same-sex relationships, too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people experience similar or higher rates of sexual violence as compared to heterosexual people: 

• 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner 
• 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner 
• 46% of bisexual women have been raped, compared to 17% of heterosexual women and 13% of lesbians 

Abusive partners in LGBTQ relationships may or may not draw on societal prejudices like homophobia and transphobia to control and undermine a survivor.

2. Transgender people face even higher risks of violence.

Despite a growing awareness of transgender people and rights in the United States, transgender people still face disproportionate rates of domestic and sexual violence as compared with cisgender people.

Almost half of transgender people reported being sexually assaulted in their lifetime. In addition, between 30% and 50% of transgender people experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives, compared to 28-33% of the general population, according to a study conducted by The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. Transgender women of color face extraordinarily high risks of violence at the hands of both strangers and intimate partners.

3. LGBTQ survivors may face additional hurdles in getting support.

Many survivors face obstacles when it comes to disclosing their experiences or seeking help. However, these hurdles can be amplified for LGBTQ survivors who fear being “outed” to their friends and families, or who fear being discriminated against in the legal, medical, or criminal justice systems. In intimate partner violence cases, a perpetrator may capitalize on these fears to gain further power over the survivor. For example, a perpetrator may threaten to out the survivor or cut them off from LGBTQ-affirming friends if the survivor reports the abuse.

4. Resources are available for LGBTQ survivors. 

There are resources for survivors who want to speak to an LGBTQ-centric organization.

• The LGBT National Hotline provides a toll-free hotline for LGBTQ people to ask questions about counseling, resources, and peer support. Contact 1.888.843.4564 or visit the hotline’s website for more information.
• The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs responds to violence against LGBTQ people with advocacy and support services. Contact 212.714.1141 or visit the AVP’s website for more information.
• The Network/La Red is a survivor-led organization working to end partner abuse in LGBTQ relationships. Contact 617.742.4911, call toll-free at 1.800.832.1901, TTY 617.227.4911, or visit the network’s website for more information.
• FORGE is a national anti-violence organization focused on supporting transgender people. Visit their website for more information.
• The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline for LGBTQ youth. Contact 1.866.488.7386 or visit The Trevor Project website for more information.

Additionally, the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1.800.656.4673) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1.800.799.7233) are prepared to support LGBTQ survivors with free, confidential guidance 24/7.

5. You can help LGBTQ survivors feel safe and supported.

Joyful Heart’s 6 Steps to Support a Survivor page provides advice for supporting survivors of any identity; however, there are extra steps you can take to make an LGBTQ survivor feel affirmed. For example, do not make assumptions about the gender identity or sexual orientation of the survivor or the perpetrator; respect a survivor’s wishes for privacy about their identity; do not ask invasive questions about a survivor’s body; and familiarize yourself with the basics of LGBTQ terminology and resources.  

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or domestic violence, please know you are not alone. For support after a sexual assault, contact RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) at 1.800.656.4673 or chat at online.rainn.org. For support on domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or TTY 1.800.787.3224. Se puede obtener ayuda en Español. Learn how you can support a survivor.