| Abstrakt: |
For most of its history, the anti-violence movement failed to include the experiences and voices of LGBTQIA+ survivors, consequently creating theories, resources, and funding streams that systematically denied the existence of LGBTQIA+ survivors. To partially correct for this exclusion, in 2013, the federal government reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which establishes protections for survivors of domestic violence and funding for services to reduce domestic violence, to also forbid discrimination against LGBTQIA+ survivors in service provision. Society as a whole has also become more accepting of LGBTQIA+ people. However, to what degree have legal and social changes affected the lives of LGBTQIA+ survivors? This paper aims to answer this question by examining the experiences of LGBTQIA+ survivors shortly after the passing of the 2013 Reauthorization of VAWA and again five years later. Based on that data, the environment for LGBTQIA+ survivors has become somewhat more accepting, but still leaves significant room for improvement. Advocates will need to encourage more active inclusivity efforts at the federal level, while agencies should re-think providing services that are both inclusive and meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
