At RESPOND, we believe everyone deserves to live free from violence—no matter who they are or who they love. This Pride Month, we celebrate the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community and reaffirm our commitment to creating safe, affirming spaces for all survivors.
The Reality: LGBTQIA+ Communities and Domestic Violence
While domestic violence affects people of all identities, research shows that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience abuse at higher rates than heterosexual and cisgender individuals.
- A 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open found that transgender men and women experience significantly higher rates of physical violence and intimate partner violence compared to cisgender women. Transgender men face nearly 10 times higher risk, and transgender women about 7 times higher risk, of physical violence compared to cisgender women (JAMA Network, 2024).
- Nearly half of bisexual women report experiencing contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime, with 70% experiencing some form of intimate partner violence or stalking (CDC, NISVS).
- LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately higher rates of dating violence than their heterosexual peers. Transgender and gender-expansive youth report elevated levels of physical dating violence, psychological dating abuse, cyber dating abuse, and sexual coercion (Human Rights Campaign, 2023).
A Survivor’s Story
“I was scared that no one would understand what I’d been through as a lesbian in an abusive relationship. I didn’t think I fit the picture that most people envisioned when they think of a DV survivor. RESPOND didn’t just listen—they believed me. And then they helped me. That changed everything.”
— Survivor, RESPOND client
Barriers to Safety
LGBTQIA+ survivors often face unique challenges when seeking support. Fears of being misunderstood, outed, or having their identity minimized can make it harder to reach out. Many shelters also still implement gender-based policies which can inadvertently exclude trans and nonbinary people. These barriers leave many survivors without the personalized help and care they need and deserve.
What We’re Doing at RESPOND
At RESPOND, we know that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work. Survivors all have unique experiences. Each one deserves to be met with respect, no matter their gender identity, sexual orientation, or relationship structure. We are committed to building services that honor the full identities of those we serve:
- Inclusive Services: We offer shelter and housing that welcome survivors of all genders, with explicit non-discrimination protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
- Respectful Practices: We honor chosen names and pronouns, and ensure our policies reflect dignity, safety, and respect for all.
- Education & Advocacy: We engage the community to raise awareness about abuse in LGBTQIA+ relationships and challenge harmful myths and stigma.
- Staff Training & Cultural Competency: Our team participates in ongoing training to foster allyship and deepen understanding of LGBTQIA+ experiences.
- Supportive Benefits: We provide comprehensive health plans that include gender-affirming care and robust mental health support.
- Celebration & Visibility: LGBTQIA+ staff are recognized during Pride and beyond, with meaningful opportunities to shape organizational messaging and events.
- Values in Action: Our internal culture mirrors our external advocacy—centered on equity, inclusion, and survivor-led support.
And above all, we listen. Survivor-led support means creating space for every person’s story—and making sure they have the resources they need to reach safety.
Everyone Deserves Safety
Pride Month is all about visibility and celebration. For RESPOND it brings us back to our vow of inclusion; to ensure that ALL survivors have access to safety, housing, and healing.
We invite you to stand with us this Pride Month—and every month—as we work to create a world where everyone can be believed, respected, empowered, and helped.
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Happy Pride Month!
