ABSTRACT
We began this book by making it very clear that we did not intend to write a book about family violence in which we segregated different populations by race or gender; rather, we would incorporate discussions of racial and gender variations inside of each topic. We feel strongly that this intersectional approach to the study of family violence—and most other social phenomena—is appropriate for a variety of reasons. The intersectional approach focuses on the fundamental “samenesses” rather than the “differences” among us, it allows us to see the commonalities without rendering variations invisible, and last, as we have argued elsewhere, the intersectional theory from which this perspective is derived has proven to be quite powerful in explaining the ways in which experiences with family violence, societal responses to family violence, and patterns of family violence vary by race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and other social statuses.
In addition to presenting data on the prevalence of violence in LGBTQ families, the focus in this chapter will be on exploring the ways in which models for predicting partner violence do and do not work for LGBTQ couples. Of primary consideration will be a discussion of the intersection of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and intimate partner violence. We will also explore the ways in which institutional discrimination shapes both experiences with LGTBQ intimate partner violence and also responses to it. Objectives
To examine the prevalence of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships
To examine the prevalence of intimate partner violence among transgender and queer people
To explore the ways in which sexuality shapes intimate partner violence and to explicate the similarities and differences across sexualities
To explore the special case that the “closet” creates for intimate partner violence in same-gender couples
342To examine the criminal justice response to intimate partner violence in same-gender couples
To explore the response of other agencies (for example, social services, shelters) to intimate partner violence and the challenges these present to LGBTQ victims and perpetrators
To suggest policies and practices that would improve the ways in which agencies and institutions respond to intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ community
