LGBTQIA+

53 years ago, the Pride Movement began with the Stonewall Riots and protests against police brutality and LGBTQIA+ oppression. 

Our mission is to end intimate partner abuse because everyone deserves love and a life free from violence! We are committed to providing inclusive and informed services.  

Many on our staff are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Christy, our Outreach Advocate for Fayette and Bourbon counties, identifies as a survivor herself. She escaped a physical, sexual, and psychological abuser 9 years ago.   

Additional Barriers  

Christy says, “I was too afraid to call the police because, sadly, both partners in a same-sex relationship are often arrested during domestic violence situations. The LGBTQ+ community is often met with victimizing legal services; thus, there is a hesitancy to use them.”  

LGBTQIA+ survivors experience additional barriers to getting the help needed to leave an abusive relationship. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, barriers they may face include:   

• societal beliefs that domestic violence doesn’t occur in LGBTQIA+ relationships  
• potential homophobia and/or transphobia from staff of service providers  
• lack of appropriate training regarding LGBTQIA+ domestic violence for service providers  
• a fear that airing problems fuels anti-LGBTQIA+ bias  
• the dangers associated with ‘outing’ oneself (risking rejection from family, friends, and society)    

Support Group  

Christy facilitates a weekly LGBTQIA+ support group for survivors to help others find healing and hope. Request information here.  

Other Community Resources  

The Lexington Pride Center’s mission is to celebrate and empower the intersectional lives of LGBTQIA+ Kentuckians. The Pride Center is a community space to connect and find support and resources. They also put on lots of events and host the Lexington Pride Festival!   

You have the right to safety and support – and you deserve a healthy relationship. 

The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey finds LGBTQIA+ people experience intimate partner violence at rates similar to, or higher than, heterosexual and cisgender people.  

Isolation is a common tactic of abusers to gain power and control in a relationship. Breaking free from this isolation can be so difficult, especially if family and friends you trusted chose to become estranged when you came out. Other tactics of power and control often include the following:

• Outing your sexual orientation or gender identity to family and employers. 
• Portraying the violence as mutual, consensual, or normal. 
• Denying your gender identity and/or expression. 
• Hiding or throwing away medications and hormones. 
• Ridiculing style and fashion that corresponds to your gender expression. 

These threats and manipulations are compounded by a lack of community resources that understand and affirm LGBTQIA+ identities. Fear of further oppression due to intersecting identities make it harder to reach out for support.

Many on our staff are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, and everyone at our organization believes you deserve to feel safe in your intimate relationship.

Have you wondered if your relationship is healthy? Do you have a friend you suspect could be suffering from physical or emotional abuse? Whether you just want to talk or you’re ready to initiate services, we will answer your call 24 hours a day, every day of the year – 800-544-2022.