Campus Services for

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex

Survivors

ReSPONSE does not deny services to anyone because of gender identity. Support and advocacy services are available to anyone who needs help through ReSPONSE. (For definitions of these terms, see Definitions. The commonly used reference to this community is LGBTI, and may include Q [Queer or Questioning.])

Abuse within the LGBTI community is a deeply hidden problem. Many victim/survivors don’t report violence for fear of homophobic reactions by family and friends, and further victimization by law enforcement, medical personnel and victim advocates who would be called for help. Bias crimes, also known as hate crimes, have increased in frequency, brutality, and, in some locations, in societal acceptance. Sex-based and other types of violence from hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people adds another dimension to the common  fear of reporting these crimes. Myths about LGBTI relationships and cultural or ethnic beliefs and practices relating to LGBTI people are influential within the general population, and are factors in the lives of college students, too.

Click here for links to programs and services about

• domestic and sexual violence within the LGBTI community

• bias-crime violence against members of the community, their friends and family

• support programs and services available to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, their friends and family

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Cultural and Ethnic Influences

A commonly shared notion among many Native American tribes is that some individuals naturally possess both the male and female spirit. While this belief provides normalization, historically and traditionally, for persons whose gender identity is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, the effect of current non-tribal, dominant culture beliefs and practices make life difficult for Native American LGBTI people.

In many international communities, admitting and reporting sexual and domestic violence in heterosexual couples is virtually impossible since it may be culturally acceptable for men to abuse women. Such violence in the often small LGBTI population within these communities is hidden, ignored and denied even more deeply.

MSU-Northern is an ethnically and culturally diverse campus. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to learn about each others' traditions, beliefs and customs while remembering the University does not tolerate intimate partner or sexual violence on campus. To report relationship or sexual violence or bias crimes involving University members, call any of these numbers:

• ReSPONSE                                               265-3557

• Havre Police Department (emergency)         911

• Domestic Abuse Program Crisis Line    265-2222

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Common Myths about LGBTI relationships

• Myth:    Domestic and sexual violence that occurs in LGBTI relationships is usually mutual.

  • Fact:     “Mutual” implies an equal fight in which one person is simply more effective than the other; partner abuse is about power and control, not who is physically stronger. This claim is biased, as it is not used to explain heterosexual relationship abuse. 

• Myth:    Abusive behavior in LGBTI relationships is probably a sexual behavior (a version of sadomasochism.)

  • Fact:     No one wants to be abused and the victim is not responsible for the partner’s behavior. Abuse in relationships crosses all sexuality, socio-economic and political lines. 

• Myth:    The “butch” or larger individual is the perpetrator.

  • Fact:     Aside from the myth that all same-sex relationships have masculine and feminine roles, violence is no more likely to come from one than the other.  

• Myth:    The level of violence is not too severe in LGBTI abusive relationships.

  • Fact:     Intensity and type of violence in same-sex relationships is the same as in heterosexual relationships, perhaps more in some cases due to fears of reporting it. 

• Myth:    Women can’t rape women, and men can’t rape men.

  • Fact:     Simply untrue. For example, in 1994 in New York City, 9% of all domestic violence involved sexual assault and in lesbian battering, the figure was 10%. 

• Myth:    If they weren’t so deviant or so open about their homosexuality, they’d be safe.

  • Fact:     Another untrue belief. Violence against a person based on his or her gender identity is an act of discrimination; in many jurisdictions it is known as a hate crime and is against the law.

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References: Macalester College-STARSA, OutFront Minnesota

Julie Girshick, Ph.D., Michelle L. Clossick, M.S.,

AVP, Linda Juneau (Blackfeet)