In The News: California passes LGBT Domestic Violence Bill
Sacramento, Thurs. May 14 – The California State Assembly passed the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual or Transgender) Domestic Violence Services Bill along party lines, with all 44 Democrats present voting in favor while all 17 votes against were cast by Republicans. Sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), the bill – AB 1003 – will increase and expand services to LGBT survivors of domestic violence.
"By passing this bill, we are expanding innovative and proven program models already being pioneered by LGBT centers and organizations across the state," said Assembly member John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), the author of the bill. "Now more people will have greater access to the services they need – in a safe, comfortable environment."
Rates of domestic violence in same-sex relationships are equivalent to those in opposite-sex relationships. However, support for LGBT survivors continues to lag far behind those available to non-LGBT couples.
"We must do all in our power to ensure that LGBT survivors of domestic violence have access to culturally competent services and resources," Geoff Kors, executive director of EQCA. "EQCA is extremely grateful to Assembly member Pérez for his leadership on this important issue and thank the California Assembly for helping move us one step closer to making this goal a reality."
In light of this groundswell movement in opposition to Proposition 8 – ‘The Marriage Protection Act’ that prohibits same-sex marriage in the State of California- “Milk” (a movie about Harvey Bernard Milk who was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors) could never be more timely. The California State Senate also recently passed a Bill declaring May 22 as “Harvey Milk Day”. The bill authored by Senator Mark Leno (D — San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), calls for a "day of special significance" in honor of slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk.
Trapped within the confines of a marriage, Domestic Violence as we all know is more often than not, invisible. Abuse within same-sex relationships is even more so. This Bill along with the heat on repealing Proposition 8 accords dignity and respect to the LGBT community, something which is long over due.
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Tagged domestic violence, gender
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