Perspectives from the LGBTQ Community
"Accessing [abuse] services is difficult, as it involves coming out on a two-fold basis: the first is regarding sexual orientation and the second is disclosure of the abuse." – Service Provider, Same-Sex Partner Abuse research project
"[I] don't want the kids harassed because I am gay." – 51-year-old "closeted" father, Father Involvement project
"[Having two mothers has] greatly influenced who I am because I feel a connection to the LGBT community in Toronto. It’s weird because as a heterosexual female I am not recognized by that community. Like if I’m walking down Church Street, I’m not recognized as a member of their community, however I feel like I am. It’s an odd kind of place to be. When I see a lesbian couple walking down the street, I feel like, "Hi!’ you know. If I’m with one of my moms they kind of acknowledge each other, but when I’m alone I never get that acknowledgement from other people…it’s kind of like a little secret I have with myself sometimes, that they can’t see, but you know…" – Youth participant, Impact of Homophobia project
"I have started to wonder in working with situations of same sex abuse why it is necessary to identify a primary aggressor. I have found few lesbian abusive relationships where this model easily fit but our services have embraced this model." – Service provider, Same-Sex Partner Abuse research project
"What I find so absurd is that [individuals against same-sex marriage] argue as if we don’t exist, as if it’s the beginning of us. ‘If this happens then these children will be born…’ They act as if we’re not here. How can you say it will be a bad thing when we’re already here? Like it’s too late, like nice try but…[laughter] we’re all grown up, we’re all fine." – Youth participant, Impact of Homophobia project
A Decade of LGBTQ Leadership
Prologue: For 10 years, in addition to being a source of critical community counselling services for thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer individuals (LGBTQ) and people affected by HIV/AIDS, David Kelley Services (DKS) has been at the forefront of advancing equitable policies for LGBTQ communities and broadening the body of research about LGBTQ issues.
Gay Fatherhood – As a leader in LGBT parenting issues, FSA Toronto recently conducted research into gay fatherhood as part of a national study of seven clusters of fathers by the University of Guelph. Called the Father Involvement Research Alliance, the study examined the role of fathers in families. Through online surveys and face-to-face interviews, we obtained data from 139 respondents. Common themes included a sense of the invisibility of gay fathers; an associated lack of programs; issues around entitlement to parenthood as a gay man; and experiences of negative stereotypes around gay men and parenting.
Same-Sex Partner Abuse – Through research into family violence in the context of same-sex relationships, we hope to shed light on this largely unexplored issue and educate other practitioners about our findings. Now at its midway point, the project has surveyed 28 agencies and 51 service providers about their approaches to serving LGBTQ clients experiencing family violence. Two-thirds (65%) of agencies indicated they specifically did outreach to LGBTQ communities, but only one-third had policies and procedures related specifically to violence in same-sex relationships. Among the 51 service providers, one in four reported that 10% to 25% of their clients are LGBTQ and another 18% said that more than three-quarters of their clients are LGBTQ. Notably, almost half of these service providers (45%) reported that they had "never" or had "only once" received anti-homophobia training.
LGBT-led Families – During the same-sex marriage debate, FSA Toronto began research into how homophobia—and the marriage debate—impacts children of LGBT-led families. Through interviews and online surveys, we consulted 49 youth, 94 LGBTQ parents and 94 teachers. Data analysis still underway has so far focused on the youth response. Most children experienced a profoundly homophobic culture at school, taking such measures as assessing safety, seeking clues about when and where they might experience homophobia and making corresponding decisions about when and with whom to "come out." Overall, they said they were unaffected by the same-sex marriage debate. Although they supported same-sex marriage, most did not have strong feelings about their own parents getting married.
Epilogue: DKS’ research into father involvement has inspired a proposal to increase visibility and a sense of entitlement among gay fathers. Recommendations from the same-sex partner abuse research will likely include more anti-homophobia training for providers, increased services for gay and trans individuals and more research.
Note: If your browser blocks pop-up windows, please press down the "CTRL" key, hold it and click on the "send this page" button.