Considerations of Identity

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation encompasses:

Heterosexual

Often seen as "normal" or "default", it's important for us to remember that heterosexual is simply one mode among many for how sexuality is expressed. 

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer or Questioning/Intersex (LGBTQI)

The main focus of WCASA’s work with the LGBTQI community is via the LGBT Statewide Committee co-chaired by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV). Staff from WCADV and WCASA, along with interested individuals from communities and organizations throughout the state, come together in an effort to give voice to people who are marginalized based on gender identity, sexual identity, and/or sexual orientation and whose lives have been effected by sexual and/or domestic violence.

We are always interested in new members joining our group from throughout the state.  Our membership includes community members, program staff and people interested in addressing the issues of sexual and domestic violence for the LGBT community.

The LGBT WCADV/WCASA Statewide Committee has had a productive year and we look forward to continued collaboration.  Our meetings are based on an exciting and productive meeting format. The model we have come up with is based on three areas: Sharing, Doing and Learning.

• Sharing will be a time for people to update the group on what they have been doing locally. This will also be a time to share much needed affirmation for your hard work.
• Doing will focus on developing and scheduling requested trainings.   The committee has developed an excellent training on providing inclusive services to LGBT victims/survivors in mainstream DV/SA organizations.  We are now focusing on developing a healthy relationships curricula that can be used by LGBT youth-serving organizations throughout the state.
• Learning will be an ever changing piece to be determined by the committee focused on expanding our information, skills and knowledge about pertinent topics. The committee will determine the topics and guest facilitators or members of the committee will be asked to lead the discussion...

The committee meets quarterly on Fridays and generally run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  WCADV will provide reimbursement for lunch.

There is also a statewide list serve for people are concerned with SA/DV in Wisconsin’s LGBT communities.  If you would like to sign up for the list serv contact Kelly Moe Litke of WCASA at kellyml@wcasa.org.

We invite you to join us as professionals and individuals who are working to ensure that there are quality services for LGBT survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The committee provides trainings upon request; read the LGBT Training Brochure for more information.

LGBTQ en Español

The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging recently announced that they now offer several articles and publications in Spanish, with more to be added in the coming months.

WI Resources

• Fair Wisconsin
• FORGE - For Ourselves Reworking Gender Expression 
  • “What You Should Know About Violence and Harassment Against LGBT Individuals”
  • "What You Can Do About Violence and Harassment Against LGBT Individuals"
  • you can find more useful items: Handouts page 
• Rm2BSafe – statewide initiative to educate about creating safe relationships for the LGBT community

Other Online Resources for LGBTQI:

• National Coaltion of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP) 
• Report on Anti-LGBTQ Hate Violence in 2010 (read about the report on ColorLines)
• Survivor Project  
  
• Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)  
  
• Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) 
• Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund  
• Transgender Law and Policy Institute 
• BiNet USA 
• Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) 
• GLSEN Releases Groundbreaking Study of Bias, Bullying and Homophobia in Grades K-6 (report can be downloaded from their press statement page)
• Network la Red
  
  • “Open Minds Open Doors: Transforming Domestic Violence Programs to Include LGBTQ Survivors“ 
    a manual tailored to the needs of domestic violence providers, but applicable to SA provision as well.
• OutFront Minnesota
• Intimate Partner Violence Safety Plan 
• Virginia Anti-Violence Project
  
• The Survivor Handbook - impact of interpersonal violence on LGBTQ survivors
• The Model Policies and Best Practices guide – increasing agency capacity to serve LGBTQ survivors
• Passing Twice – LGBTQ Persons who stutter

LGBTQ Teen Resources

(courtesy of WCADV):

• Love is Respect (& Break the Cycle) engages, educates and empowers youth and young adults to prevent and end abusive relationships. Many topics, including: if you’re being abused, if you’re abusive, helping friends/strangers/your child, relationships, forums, safety planning, legal rights, technology safety and more. Toolkits, presentations, campaign ideas, PSA’s, statistics.  Love is Respect LGBTQ Relationships features LGBTQ relationships, identifying if they are healthy or abusive and unique obstacles for LGBTQ teens; Hear My Voice is another resource for LGBT teens. Ayuda offers information in Spanish on teen dating violence and includes a section specific to LGBTQ teens. Love is respect & Break the Cycle. 

• Show Me Love! raises awareness about healthy relationships and provides resources for LGBTQ survivors. Their postcard campaign utilizes art to celebrate fun, vibrant, healthy LGBTQ relationships.  WEAVE: Women Empowered Against Violence & US Dept of Justice, Washington D.C.

• Amplify Your Voice focuses on helping young people make informed decisions about their wellness and sexual health. Peer to peer education, resources and blog posts. Complemented by: Advocates for Youth for professional and youth activists, YouthResource for peer education and resources for LGBTQ youth,  MySistahs for peer education and resources for young women of color, and AmbienteJoven for latino LGBTQ youth.