Unique Aspects of LGBT Domestic Abuse
There are many parallels between LGBT people’s experience of domestic abuse and that of heterosexual women, including the types of abuse and the impact on the abused partner. However, there are a number of aspects that are unique to LGBT domestic abuse. These include:
Outing’ as a method of control
If the abused partner isn’t out to their family, friends and work colleagues, the abusive partner may use outing or the threat of outing as a method of control.
The abuse becomes associated with sexual orientation or gender identity
For many people, their sexual orientation or gender identity becomes associated with the abuse so that they blame the abuse on being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. So they may feel that “I’m experiencing this abuse because I’m LGB or T. If I wasn’t LGB or T I wouldn’t be experiencing this. I hate being LGB or T.” This can therefore fuel feelings of internalised homo/bi/transphobia.
Domestic abuse isn’t well recognised in the LGBT community
There hasn’t been much information or discussion in the LGBT communities about domestic abuse. Most information on domestic abuse relates to experiences of heterosexual women. This lack of understanding means that some people may not:
- Believe it happens in LGBT relationships.
- Recognise their experience as domestic abuse if it does happen to them.
- Know how to respond if they see domestic abuse being experienced by their friends.
Confidentiality and isolation within the LGBT communities
LGBT communities are often hidden and can rely on friends and relationships as support within the local community, this is often compounded when living in smaller towns and rural areas and can make it difficult for the abused partner to seek help. They may feel ashamed about the abuse, or their partner may have tried to turn others in the community against them. An abusive partner may isolate their partner from contact with the LGBT community by preventing them reading any LGBT papers/magazines etc or attending LGBT venues or events and preventing them seeing friends from within the community. This can be especially true for people in their first same-sex relationship who may not have had much contact with the LGBT community before the relationship began.