Boston Protects With Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project

Fixing the Problem: Educate the Masses

There is hope. Education and advocacy can lead to a better understanding of domestic violence within these types of relationships. That, in itself, leads to national awareness of an epidemic that many are not aware of.

"I've read a few articles about domestic violence, but I had no idea the extent to how pervasive this issue is in our society," Gloucester resident Catherine Curran told EDGE. That doesn't mean she thinks the issue should continue to be ignored.

"Something definitely needs to be done to protect the victims," she concludes.

In addition, awareness leads to funding. GMDVP is a state-funded program and certainly one of the most comprehensive, but there are plenty of mainstream community programs that are completely oblivious to the issue, as Rodgers horrifyingly discovered 20 years ago.

"Awareness needs to be raised in the mainstream community, especially with the police and the courts and other domestic violence programs that provide services and become more inclusive," said Rodgers.

When asked if these programs purposefully don't include the LGBTQ community, Rodgers explained, that 20 years ago, domestic violence was only considered to include battered women abused by their male partners. Mainstream organizations catered their education outreach programs to that community.

Over the years, the work that programs like the GMDVP and others have accomplished has led to a wider range of services available in non-GLBTQ specific organizations.

"They're completely inclusive and do their best to be proactive in their education as well as fully inclusive of their services," offered Rodgers. "There are others that aren't there yet, but are trying to transition. Additionally, a smaller number of programs claim to be inclusive but they're really not and the services they're providing are probably not culturally appropriate."

Even still, Rodgers said that enough programs don't try at all.

The State Has a Responsibility to Protect

"Yes, [the state] does have a responsibility, but I'd also say that they've upheld their duty. We've been a state-funded program since 1999," said Rodgers.

That's the case for Massachusetts, at least. Rodgers also stated that while all states have a responsibility, very few are proactive in protecting the LGBTQ community in regards to domestic violence.

"There aren't enough resources for LGBTQ victims of domestic violence and I would include sexual assault, as well," said Rodgers.

He said that people need to really actively engage in the issue, be committed to the issue and have it be part of discussions within the community. Right now, he said, the problem is that people are not willing to recognize the issue and it needs to be addressed.

"Once that happens, there will be a greater awareness," said Rodgers. "Also, you'll have more resources going towards the provision of services, which is lacking at this point."

For more information about GMDVP's programs, visit gmdvp.org/