News Archives
May 2, 2012
Urge Your U.S. Representative to Support Renewal of S-1925 to Protect Women and Families Against Domestic Violence
Domestic violence was named a public health issue in our country by the Surgeon General in 1985. Nearly 25 percent of women will experience domestic violence in America, and continued vigilance on this issue is a priority. This is an issue that impacts not only heterosexuals, but also people in the lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and gay (LBTG) community. However, as of now, equitable protections do not exist for the LBTG community.
Stunningly, 45 percent of LBTG victims of domestic violence were turned away when they sought help from a domestic violence shelter and nearly 55 percent of those who sought protection orders were denied them.
The U.S. Senate passed a bill (S-1925) in a 68-31 bipartisan vote that would extend protection to all people in our country who are victims of domestic violence, including those in the LBTG community, so that they can get the help and support they need during both a physically and emotionally traumatic time.
Despite the fact that S-1925 is a common sense and humanitarian piece of legislation, the Tea Party leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives has decided to strip out protections for the LBTG community and are now trying to pass an alternate partisan and discriminatory version.
We urge you to call and ask your U.S. Representative to “please support S-1925 as passed by the Senate”. To look up your U.S. Representative, please visit www.contactingthecongress.org. Together, we must make sure that the clock is not turned backwards on domestic violence in this country.