Response to M5 Discussion Post: LGBTQ+ IPV

Use course reading as your main source: Gosselin, D. K. (2019). Family and intimate partner violence: Heavy hands (6th ed.). Pearson Please respond to 4 classmates posts: Your follow up posts should be reflective in nature and may require research and analysis to draw others into an in-depth conversation. The follow up posts are an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your opinions, support your responses with additional resources, and provide feedback to your classmates. In your replies to others, go beyond offering affirmation and agreement, by adding new perspective, asking thoughtful questions, and where needed link to the readings. 1. Christina Langille posted: Anyone reporting intimate partner violence is scared or ashamed that they have been victimized by a partner. The LGBTQ+ community is no different, but they do face other obstacles. A major reason for not reporting IPV is being outed, some victims have not come out to the people in their lives. The victim does not want to out themselves and deal with discrimination or stigmas. This may also actually be used as a tactic of abuse and the partner threatens to out the victim to manipulate them (Ard, 2011). Another reason behind LGBTQ+ IPV victims not wanting to report an act of abuse against them is the very real fear of arrest. If police were to show up and two men or two women were in a domestic dispute, they could be seen as equal offenders, and a victim could be arrested for attempting to defend themselves or they could be seen as an equal in a fight not as a victim (Rolle, 2018). I see two main groups of people that are the most important when it comes to leveling the playing field for LGBTQ+ community. First and foremost, the lawmakers have every power to be able to change laws and focus on equity for the community. The other, voters, we all have a say in who the lawmakers are, we need to show our support for the LGBTQ community as equals and vote in lawmakers who can change these ridiculous laws. Victims who are people of color and those with disabilities can face discrimination due to both situations adding more reason to not report and must fight the system even harder to be taken seriously. Economics plays a role in IPV because if a victim is without financial means to leave where do they go? How will they support themselves or families on no or minimal income? The victims stay or face uncertainty in their living situation. Some abusers will also control the victim’s money leaving them with nothing and dependent on the abuser (Patrick, 2021). 2. Sheneke Cowell posted: Describe two ways that barriers to accessing support services can be overcome for LGBTQ+ victims. We can start with educating the community on terminology and culture sensitivity for the LGBTQ+ community. Another support service would be to establish a dedicated line for them to report abuse or ask for help without being judge. According to the text, many survivors who sought orders of protection received them but 60% of survivors did not even attempt to file one, leaving victims vulnerable to future abuse. Who are the most important key players, in your opinion, in combating these inequities for LGBTQ+ families? How can they do more? In combating inequities for LGBTQ+ families, several key players play crucial roles in driving positive change and fostering inclusivity, the key players are government officials, schools, and big corporations. State law can be broad enough so that a same-sex relationship dating relationships are included. (pg.226) In schools they can include curriculums addressing gender equality and inclusivity, also offering supports groups for the children who identify as LGBTQ+. In what ways might LGBTQ+ victims of color be further disadvantage? What about disabled LGBTQ+ victims? How can economics be a factor? LGBTQ+ victims of color already have a strike against them for being brown in America, they are faced with discrimination because of the choice they make loving the same sex. The discrimination continues more when they disabled. The LGBTQ+ community also faces economic injustice in employment discrimination, housing insecurity, healthcare access. To address these challenges, it's essential to have an intersectional approach to LGBTQ+ advocacy and support services. 3. Erica Hunter posted: In a domestic dispute, police officers have traditionally determined who is at fault by looking at physical characteristics and gender. In the case of same-sex violence, a more accurate picture of who requires protection needs to be created. A change in thinking is required. Of its four years in office, the Trump administration attacked LGBTQ people's rights, supported discriminatory policies, and put-up obstacles to receiving essential government services. The Trump administration's flagrant contempt for the rights, dignity, and welfare of LGBTQ individuals, their families, and communities is reflected in these actions. LGBTQ people have suffered in the real world as a result of these policies, especially LGBTQ people of color who live at the intersection of multiple identities and are subjected to multiple forms of institutional and systemic discrimination (Center for American Progress, 2024). Everyone should have access to economic stability and opportunity, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, but prejudice towards LGBTQ individuals prevents them from fully participating in the economy. People of color experience higher rates of poverty due to structural bias in the labor market and discriminatory policies imposed by the government; additionally, anti-LGBTQ discrimination can create even more obstacles to LGBTQ people of color's ability to maintain stable financial relationships. Similarly, the Williams Institute discovered that almost half of LGBTQ people of color reported living in a low-income household after examining Gallup survey data gathered between 2012 and 2017 (Trisi, n.d.). According to a 2020 Center for American Progress survey, four out of 10 LGBTQ adults with disabilities said that discrimination had a moderate to significant impact on their financial well-being. Significant obstacles to economic inclusion can also be faced by people with disabilities. These include discrimination in the workplace, a lack of accommodations for their needs, lower pay, higher costs associated with their disabilities, and inadequate workplace protections like paid medical leave and sick days (Trisi, n.d.). 4. Alyssa Davis posted: While Intimate Partner Violence can affect anyone within an intimate relationship, there are certain groups of people that may find it harder to find support services. One such group are those within the LGBTQ+ community. With changes to the legalization of same-sex partner marriage, comes changes to definitions regarding intimate partner violence. However, lack of inclusivity and positive acceptance of those within the LGBTQ+ community can cause barriers for those needing support. Discrimination from those in law enforcement is one example. Some studies have shown an increase in mandatory arrests for interpersonal violence cases within same-sex partnerships (Gosselin & Gosselin, 2019). Fear may also be a determining factor in whether or not authorities are called; fear of not being believed, fear of homophobia, or a general fear of arrest. A second example of barriers for support is lack of services. While there are many services overall with some focused on particular communities, not all services support the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, there are services focused specifically toward the LGBTQ+ community (NNEDV, 2018), but as states differ in laws and regulations, access to these focused services may be limited or unavailable to some. Overall, a fear of homophobia and rejection has left many feeling like the need to lie to get by. Again, as states differ in laws and regulations, some states do not have laws against LGBTQ discrimination. Barriers may be harder to break through if an individual falls within multiple communities; for example, an LGBTQ+ person of color, or and LGBTQ+ disabled person. Fear of perpetuating stereotypes, shame, lack of social support, and fear of being reported to immigration (in some cases) are all reasons for victims in an array of cultures to not report interpersonal violence (Gosselin & Gosselin, 2019). Native American Indian women, and Alaskan Native women experience the highest rates of interpersonal violence victimization, and Alaskan Native women specifically lack the necessary and culturally appropriate support services. There is one safe women’s shelter within 500 miles (Gosselin & Gosselin, 2019). With a wide array of disabilities, the types of violence can vary from medication manipulation to destruction of adaptive equipment. Disabled men and women tend to experience higher rates of sexual assault as well. Depending on the disability, they may be dependent on their partner making it harder to find help or outside support, and easier for an abuser to isolate. In my opinion, those most important in combating inequalities for LGBTQ+ families are advocacy programs. The Family Equality Council works to improve social justice, the Human Right’s Campaign is a civil rights organization for LGBTQ+, The Task Force helps to create political legislation and promote LGBT campaigns (MAP, 2024). One of the largest barriers is homophobia and discrimination, and with state-to-state legislation, it makes it hard for those within a discriminatory state to receive necessary support. I think continuing to promote LGBTQ+ social justice and legislation is a huge step in the right direction. While there are wonderful online communities that can help you stay anonymous, like the Trevor project, with social justice reform there are many who live in states where they can be outwardly discriminated against and have no local supports available.