Restoration Magazine

The NIWRC Advocacy for LGBTQ2S+ Survivors: Resources, Data, and Barriers resource was created to call attention to the fact that regardless of identity, gender, sexuality, or the identifiers of their partner, anyone can experience intimate partner violence (IPV). However, colonized gender roles, racist/ ethnic stereotypes, systemic prejudice & discrimination, and economic inequity, put certain populations at greater risk for experiencing violence, like women, the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community, or people of lower incomes.

The Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ community experiences all the above injustices, but their experiences are also exacerbated by sex and gender discrimination, transphobic and homophobic stigma, and cis/hetnormativity, and they are at greater risk of IPV in comparison to the general population.

This resource provides the following sections: An Introduction, “What We Know” Facts and Statistics, Barriers to Safety, Approaches and Recommendations, and Terms and Definitions. IPV against our Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ relatives should not be overlooked. It is the responsibility of Indigenous Nations to protect all survivors of IPV regardless of gender, sexuality, race, economic income, ability, ethnicity, and other identifiers that marginalize Indigenous survivors. We must also recognize that our Indigenous LGBTQ2S+ relatives have always been respected and revered in our Indigenous communities. Protecting and supporting our Indigenous Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ relatives is living within our teachings, values, and kinship responsibilities as Indigenous peoples. Let’s continue to uplift those traditions and histories for safer Indigenous futures.