Domestic violence in gay relationships was the topic of discussion Monday night at the Women’s Center among a small group of women from various areas of Baton Rouge.
The presentation began with a short film, “My Girlfriend Did It,” the only known video that deals with domestic violence in gay relationships.
The video stressed that all abusive factors occuring in a heterosexual relationship can occur in a lesbian relationship. These factors include isolation, intimidation, economic abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
After the video, participants discussed ways to maintain a healthy relationship, including communication, respect, trust and empathy.
“If they had empathy, they [the abusers] wouldn’t cause pain, because it would hurt them,” said Merni Carter, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence executive director.
Those in attendance also agreed that domestic violence in gay relationships can make the issue more complicated.
“If you’re closeted, I think it does put another layer of film on the issue,” said Karren Callenders, a representative of a local Unitarian church.
“Isolation is a quality of domestic violence, but there’s another level of isolation in the queer community,” Carter said.
Participants also discussed ways to break the silence about domestic violence in gay relationships.
“We should train all Baton Rouge police officers on queer domestic violence,” said Julie Fitch, LCADV communication outreach coordinator.
However, Barbara Davidson, a representative from the Baton Rouge Battered Women’s Program, said officer training may not be enough.
“It doesn’t make huge strides in their beliefs and value systems,” Davidson said. “What you really need is something that is more constant.”
Fitch said she would like to have more discussions like the one held Monday night.
“I’d like to see this kind of dialogue continue,” Fitch said.