Domestic Violence is a complex subject, one so complicated that it's often difficult to classify, and even more difficult to heal from.  Common culture asserts that domestic violence is a crime only against women, with male abusers.  While this might be the case in some situations, it is most certainly not always the case.  Domestic violence invades many relationships, often crippling the relationship and destroying and devastating the individuals.

Trans people are not excluded from the population of people who are in domestically violent relationships.  Trans people can abuse and be abused.  And while healing from the aftershock of domestic violence is a challenging feat for anyone, trans people often are left without (m)any resources.  Who will listen to our stories of abuse, when the people who are supposed to be our allies don't always view us as "normal" people, worthy of equal respect?

Rich Jentzen and Lindsay McBride are two people who will listen to all we have to say, acknowledging our pain and struggles.  These two highly sensitive, caring, and informed therapists will lead and facilitate our discussion on November 6, 1999. 

The meeting will begin with Rich and Lindsay defining domestic violence in general, and then explaining how it can apply specifically to transpeople and our partners/families.  People can then feel free to share their stories, ask questions, and discuss the issues of domestic violence and abuse in their lives - or in the lives of transpeople in general. 

As with all meetings, please remember that this is a very sensitive issues for many.  What you hear at the meeting should stay there. If you wish to talk about the meeting with people who did not attend, at least the identity of who said what should remain anonymous.

As always, all people are welcome to attend.  Bring people who support you, bring a trans-sister, encourage your therapist to attend

PHYSICAL ABUSE includes:
hitting,
shoving,
slapping,
kicking,
choking, and
assaulting, or
threatening to assault,
with a weapon of any kind.

SEXUAL ABUSE includes:
any unwanted touching,
kissing,
fondling, and
forcing you to have sex against your wishes.
You always have the right to say NO.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE includes:
insulting you,
calling you names,
blaming you,
threatening suicide if you leave him/her,
keeping you from having contact with your friends and relatives,
breaking your possessions,
threatening or injuring his/her/your children, and
injuring or killing his/her or your pets.