Orgs respond to uptick in local LGBT domestic violence

Last month's slaying of Casey Taylor, who was allegedly murdered by his boyfriend, Winthrop man John Lacoy, makes the third gay male domestic violence homicide in five months, and the LGBT community's sixth since 2010. The rise in same-sex partner violence has been so pronounced of late, gay men now constitute 20 percent of all known confirmed or suspected domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts, according to a press statement released Aug. 23 by a coalition of domestic violence organizations, including the Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project (GMDVP), The Network/La Red, HarborCOV (Communities Overcoming Violence), and Jane Doe, Inc.

Recent crimes include the March stabbing death of 55-year-old Brian Bergeron, following which his husband Michael Losee turned himself in to the authorities. Taunton's James Costello was arraigned in April following the Provincetown campground murder of David Walton. After relationship problems, Eunice Field of Brockton confessed to killing Lorraine Wachsman in August of 2010. A jury convicted Nicole Chuminski in February 2010 of setting fire to her girlfriend Anna Reisopolous's apartment in South Boston, killing two of Reisopolous's young children. The alleged murder of Annamarie Rintala of Granby, whose body was found in March 2010 in the basement of the home she shared with her wife Cara Rintala and their child, is still under investigation. Cara Rintala had been arrested in 2008 for punching her wife in the back of the head.

Advocates explain that while same-sex couples experience domestic violence at a rate comparable to heterosexual couples, gay and lesbian victims of intimate partner violence may be less inclined to report it. "Because so many LGBTQ individuals feel compelled to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity just to get by, homicides that were actually domestic violence related may have been erroneously reported as being committed by a roommate or friend," said Toni Troop, Director of Communications at Jane Doe, Inc. A 2009 report from the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs on LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence documented six domestic violence murders in an LGBTQ relationship in the United States.

While advocates are hesitant to label the recent homicides a rising trend, they are certainly no less alarming. "Domestic violence homicides in LGBTQ communities are not necessarily happening at higher rates in Massachusetts, they are perhaps being more accurately reported," said Tre'Andre Valentine, Director of Organizing and Education at The Network/La Red. "This may be due to both the recognition of same-sex relationships in Massachusetts and the work being done for over twenty years by our program as well as others to educate and bring visibility to the issue of domestic violence within LGBTQ communities."

Advocates fear that while domestic violence continues to occur in the LGBT community, those who are in danger are not aware of existing resources and support. A 2010 survey from the GMDVP found that 82 percent of the LGBT community felt domestic violence was a priority for the community, yet only 24 percent could name a resource to help them if they were a victim. Curt Rogers, GMDVP Executive Director, said in the press statement that "there is a clear need for more community outreach and awareness so that LGBTQ individuals who self-identify as a victim or survivor can identify and access emergency services. That said, there is also a great need for more LGBTQ-specific domestic violence services."

Social and economic barriers can also stand in the way of victims of partner abuse finding help. "The key to ending domestic violence lies in community acknowledging that it happens and supporting the efforts to end it. We are calling on community members to recognize partner abuse as a problem that must be transformed, not silenced," Valentine said.

"Domestic violence is everyone's business and does not discriminate based on race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation," said Kourou Pich, HarborCOV co-executive director. "We must realize that this type of violence affects all of us, and we need to take a stand to educate and support our friends, neighbors and families."

The GMDVP, HarborCOV, The Network/La Red, and Jane Doe, Inc. are joining with Fenway Community Health to hold a LGBTQ-focused vigil in mid-September in Boston to remember the many LGBT domestic violence murder victims and to raise community attention.

If you are concerned about your relationship or the relationship of a friend or family member, contact one of the following organizations for free and confidential support. The Network/La Red: hotline (617) 742-4911 (voice), (617) 227-4911 (TTY) or www.tnlr.org. The Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project: 24/7 tollfree hotline (800) 832-1901 or www.gmdvp.org. HarborCOV (for domestic violence services in Winthrop and other Harbor Communties): 24/7 crisis line (617) 884-9909.