LGBTQ Community and Partners Hold Vigil to Remember LGBTQ Domestic Violence Related Homicide Victims

September 22, 2011

WHO: Community partners GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition, Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Program, The Network/La Red, Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health, HarborCOV, and Jane Doe Inc., have organized this community event; additional speakers include Representative Liz Malia and Rev. Kim K. Crawford Harvie, Senior Minister, Arlington Street Church; and Gunner Scott, Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition.

WHAT: Candelight vigil in response to seven (7) domestic violence related homicides in LGBTQ Community in past 17 months

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 5:30 PM
Boston Common Bandstand, Corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets

WHY: Domestic violence is everyone’s business and does not discriminate based on race, socio‐economic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Advocates warn that the increased number of domestic violence related homicides in the LGBTQ community over the past 17 months – 25% of all identified domestic violence homicides since January 1 of this year – is just one indicator that more needs to be done to reach victims, perpetrators and survivors in the LGBTQ community.

Prompted by the most recent homicide of Casey Taylor in Winthrop, advocates are calling on the LGBTQ community itself as well as the range of services and other response systems do more to help end domestic violence in all relationships.

If you are concerned about your relationship or the relationship of a friend or family member, contact one of the following organizations for free and confidential support.

The Network/La Red: hotline 617.742.4911 (voice), 617.227.4911 (tty) or www.tnlr.org.

The Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project: 24/7 tollfree hotline 800‐832‐1901 or www.gmdvp.org.

Jane Doe Inc.: www.JaneDoe.org to find local programs throughout Massachusetts.

Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health: 617.927.6250 or 1.800.834.3242 (weekdays) or http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_srv_services_violence.

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