Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTIQ+ relationships - notes from the conversation

 

The conversation about Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTIQ+ relationships was held on 24 June, 2021. The conversation was held in collaboration with Guyana Rainbow Foundation(Guybow). 

Dr Preity Kumar, Asst Professor, Hamilton College, New York  and Colleen McEwan, Executive Director, Guybow shared opening thoughts to lead the discussion. 

Carlotta Boodie-Walcott and Vidyaratha Kissoon facilitated the conversation. 

Preity shared from the research she had done as part of PhD. Her thesis "Women Lovin’ Women: An Exploration of Identities, Belonging, and Communities in Urban and Rural Guyana" includes a chapter  on the Culture of Violence experienced by the women who shared their stories. 

The culture of violence experienced by the women was connected to experiences of early childhood abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempts, non suicidal self harm, sexual violence,  racialised sexual violence , psychological and economic violence.

Colleen reflected on the findings of the Guyana report from the research "‘From Fringes to Focus - “A deep dive into the lived realities of Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer women and Trans Masculine Persons in 8 Caribbean Countries”.  The research found that of the respondents "..39% had been threatened by
their intimate partner. 19% have been pressured into heterosexual marriage and 40% pressured into a heterosexual relationship. There were 24% of respondents who had been sexually assaulted by a partner and 33% by someone they knew. 31% had been physically assaulted by a partner of the same sex and 19% by a partner of a different sex, and 23% by someone they know "

She also talked about the experiences of Guybow in supporting survivors of intimate partner violence

The following points were noted during the conversation:
  • There has been little focus on intimate partner violence  in LGBTIQ+ relationships. 
  • While institutions and organisations might claim not to 'discriminate', individuals health care providers, social workers and other service providers have stigmatising attitudes which create a barrier to persons who might want to seek help
  • The violence is seen as something normal, though not good and that it is expected as part of the culture of violence in Guyana
  • There is stigma attached to mental health and seeking help - going to a 'mad doctor' is not a good thing 
  • Many persons are afraid to seek help because of the homophobia around them and there would be additional violence if their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression status were known. 
  • The inequalities of class and economic power reinforce some of the abusive relationships.
  • Some persons do not now about organisations which could offer support. 
  • More public education is needed so that persons understand their rights and that they do not have to be subject violence from anyone
  • Alcohol and drug use make things worse
  • Guybow hopes to meet the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to discuss the Ministry's support for LGBTIQ+ survivors if IPV and other forms of violence
  • There is a great deal of unlearning to do, to build a healthy sense of self. LGBTIQ+ people whose families and communities have shunned them would have to go through more to reclaim self. This work cannot be done just in one or two sessions but is ongoing.

 

Guybow can be contacted:-

Tel: 592-227-7830   Mobile: 592-691-5279
WhatsApp: 592-650-7830
Email: guybow99@gmail.com

Previous conversations in the series include


 Feature image from  Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

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