DNA October 2012 Article - 'Battered Lives'

Personal stories of domestic violence in same sex relationships

There hasn’t been much discussion or education in the gay and lesbian communities about domestic violence in our relationships. Therefore, the voices and stories of gay men and lesbians who have experienced it have rarely been heard.

It is hoped that this collection of personal stories, written by gay and lesbian survivors of abuse and violence, goes some way to building a picture of what same sex domestic violence looks like.

In many ways these stories highlight some of the common experiences that gay men and lesbians living with domestic violence share. In other ways they highlight the unique experiences of each of the authors.

This collection isn’t meant to represent the full range of experiences of domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships. As every case of domestic violence is different it’s impossible for any collection to do this. But these stories can contribute to our understanding of this issue.

This collection forms part of ACON’s same sex domestic violence community awareness campaign.

If you would like to submit your story for others to read, click here.

Thanks to all the authors for contributing their story.