LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence & Human Rights

• In Event: Roundtable: LGBTIQ+ Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

It has long been recognized that the women’s human rights movement has had a symbiotic relationship with the movement to end intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. Less studied is a similar relationship emerging between IPV and limited human rights access for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identified (LGBTQ) populations. Despite recent gains, the state of global LGBTQ human rights is appalling. For instance, workplace discrimination is illegal against sexual minorities in only 71 nations and against transgender people in only 26. For same-sex couples, marriage is legal in only 22 nations, joint adoption in 26, and second-parent adoption in 23. Moreover, same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in 76 nations. While significant unto themselves, barriers to these basic human rights – to work, marry, have children, and love – have also had harrowing consequences for LGBTQ victims of IPV. These consequences, along with suggestions for future policy, are discussed.

Author

• Adam Messinger, Northeastern Illinois University