Sometimes the police officer called to the scene assumes they're dealing with an argument between roommates and the officer fails to help the victim out of the devastating pattern of domestic abuse. Sometimes, the victim is not aware that he or she is being abused at all. These are some of the all-too-common issues that can arise when domestic violence within same-sex relationships is rarely discussed.
The Red Door project is a joint effort to fight the misconceptions that surround domestic violence within gay relationships, making sure that law enforcement understands how to help victims while getting victims the help that they desperately need.
The Central Florida Gay & Lesbian Law Association (GALLA) received a grant from the Florida Bar Foundation to support a survey, followed by educational outreach, which focus on domestic abuse among LGBT couples. The survey is happening alongside increased partnering between The Center and Harbor House. Leaders from both entities are offering advice about the project.
Attorney Dixie Daimwood, Red Door Project committee chairperson, said it is an area that is “undershadowed” in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. She said many people don't like to talk about it, plus there is concern that shedding light on same-sex domestic violence will hurt LGBT's fight for equality in marriage, adoption and other family issues.
“We need to not ignore this issue and make sure we are aware and educated so we can prevent domestic violence, even though it's something that we as a community don't like to talk about or admit,” Daimwood said.
Xavier Guadalupe, sociologist and doctoral student at the University of Central Florida, is conducting the survey.
“The survey's been live for about three weeks, and how long it lasts is up to The Center and the Bar association,” he said. He guesses it will be live for another three months.
Guadalupe said he'll analyze the data then report his findings to Red Door leaders.
“I'm hoping that out of the findings, we'll be able to make policy and training recommendations and hopefully it will result in the updating of educational materials to the community,” Guadalupe said. “I'd like to see more than just the report. “
The survey can be found at TheCenterOrlando.org. It takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Daimwood calls the survey “Phase One,” and the educational aspect of the project “Phase Two,” where they hope to teach law enforcement sensitivity when it comes to LGBT issues.
“We hope to correct some of their forms and affidavits so they're more inclusive of LGBT relationships,” Daimwood said. “We also need to address the issue that some people don't want to be outed, so many may not want public records of domestic violence in a same-sex relationship.”
She said another area that needs work is the Orange County Clerk's forms on injunctions.
“We also hope to educate the judiciary on the law in that gays and lesbians do fall under the umbrella of domestic violence, and some may not want to talk about sexuality on record,” Daimwood said.
In the meantime, the fledgling partnerships made under The Red Door Project are already making a difference.
Harbor House CEO Carol Wick said that organization is working with the other partners on what strategic outcomes are needed from the survey, but they've also been providing a support group run by Harbor House staff, at The Center, for several months.
“We've seen an increase in some referrals coming through The Center,” Wick said. “We hadn't sheltered a man in a couple of years and we've sheltered three gay men and a transgender individual in the last 6 months. Any time that there's awareness and we can overcome any preconceived notions about who we do and don't serve, it's important.”
She said most of the time people don't realize what's going on qualifies as domestic abuse.
They'll call it a bad relationship, but don't recognize the warning signs,” Wick said.
Randy Stephens, executive director of The Center, said that since being part of the Red Door Project, he's learned some surprising things about his own past relationships.
“I realized once I started talking to Harbor House that one of my relationships was abusive, but I never thought of it that way,” he said. “A lot of people may not understand. We need to educate the community and we need to educate the police.”
Wick added that domestic violence happens in cycles, so even if the victim manages to leave the relationship, if no one is educated, the abuser will likely batter his or her next partner.
Anyone who is currently in a violent relationship may call the Harbor House at 407-886-2856, or the state hotline at 800-500-1119, which will connect callers with the closest domestic violence support program. Wick said victims can call or have a session with an advocate anonymously.
