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2SLGBTQIA+
What does 2SLGBTQIA+ mean?
Cisgender
Refers to a person whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth. The prefix “cis” comes from latin, meaning “the same as”.
Gender
The internal perception of one’s gender, and how they label themselves, how much (or little) they align with a range of genders. Common identity labels include man, woman, non-binary, gender queer, trans and more.
Sex
Sex is assigned at birth and is usually done so based on some of the physiological, genetic, and genital aspects of our body that are generally perceived to determine whether a person is female or male, however, sex is distinct from gender.
2SLGBTQIA+
A common acronym for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and/or aromantic + more.
Two-Spirit
It is defined as a person who possesses both masculine and feminine spirits but also often used throughout English speaking communities to distinguish the wide variety of Indigenous concepts of gender and sexual diversity as separate from the European gender binary, which was (and is) imposed on Indigenous communities. For some two-spirit is a gender identity, or a sexual orientation, and for others it is a spiritual identity or a combination of all.
Lesbian
Women who are physically and emotionally attracted to persons of the same gender.
Gay
Men who are physically and emotionally attracted to persons of the same gender.
Bisexual
A person who is physically and emotionally attracted to the same and other genders.
Pansexual
A person who is sexually attracted to all or many gender expressions.
Queer
An umbrella term for a broad range of sexual and gender identities. This term was historically considered derogatory but is being reclaimed by the queer community.
Asexual
A person who has little to no sexual attraction/orientation.
Transgender
Refers to a person whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth. The prefix “trans” comes from latin, meaning “across”, “beyond” or “on the other side of”.
Intersex
Refers to someone whose sex is medically ambiguous because of chromosomes, hormones, and/or reproductive anatomy.
Non-binary
A spectrum of gender identities and expressions that transcend societal ideas of gender being an either/or, and of gender being a binary between “man” and “woman”.
Outing
“Outing” refers to the act of exposing a person’s 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. Outing someone can have negative consequences, including but not limited to, losing housing, losing their job, being ostracized from their community, and abuse. "Outing" someone can be done unintentionally, or it can be done in an unsafe way to homophobic/transphobic people to cause harm to a 2SLGBTQIA+ person.
Cis-Heteronormativity
Cis-heteronormativity is a system of beliefs, values, and behaviours that uphold cisgender and heterosexual identities as being superior and “normal”. For example, a cisgender, heterosexual couple that is married with children receives different social and governmental benefits than queer families.
Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Gender-based violence is violence that is an act of violence that is committed against someone because of their gender. This term is used to draw attention to the gendered nature of intimate partner violence (IPV), which is frequently committed against people of marginalized gender identities, including trans and non-binary people, and women.
Microaggressions
Microaggressions are defined by Kevin Nadal as “the everyday encounters of subtle discrimination that people of various marginalized groups experience throughout their lives”. While these acts of discrimination may be less explicit, each of these interactions have a cumulative effect on marginalized individuals, resulting in distress and negatively impacting their mental and physical health.
What neighbours, friends and family need to know
Unfortunately, there are major gaps in available statistics regarding IPV in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships. There are a couple of factors that contribute to this, including stigma surrounding 2SLGBTQIA+ identities and relationships, cis-heteronormative assumptions about IPV, and the stigma associated with reporting IPV. For example, the assumption that only men can be abusers and that they only abuse women. When family, friends and service providers hold these biases, 2SLGBTQIA+ victim survivors are less likely to reach out for help or to be able to access services. Based on the most recent statistics available from Stats Canada released in 2023, 60% of trans women have experienced IPV, while sexual minority women are at least two times more likely to experience severe forms of IPV compared to heterosexual women. 54% of sexual minority men have reported experiencing IPV in their lifetime, which is a much higher rate than their heterosexual counterparts.
Here are some of the ways that IPV is experienced differently by 2SLGBTQIA+ victim/survivors.
Myths
- There are some common myths about IPV in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships that are based on cis-heteronormative assumptions.
- Myth #1: intimate partner violence only happens in straight relationships. The reality is that IPV occurs at similar or higher rates in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships.
- Myth #2: the more “masculine” or bigger/stronger person is usually the abuser. While gender does play a role in reporting IPV, any person of any gender can be a victim/survivor or perpetrator of IPV.
- Myth #3: IPV is “less severe” in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships. Any form of abuse is detrimental and serious, and psychological and emotional abuse can be just as devastating as physical abuse.
Lack of Privacy
- The 2SLGBTQIA+ population in Canada is estimated to be 1.3 million adults across the country. This is a relatively small number compared to the total population of Canada, making each 2SLGBTQIA+ community small and often intertwined. This can create a lack of privacy, which can make it difficult for victims/survivors to feel safe coming forward.
- There are also societal implications of reporting IPV in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships, as victims/survivors might consider reporting to bring negative attention to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a whole. Victims/survivors might get this kind of messaging from perpetrators, or it may be the result of internalized homophobia.
Isolation
- Being ostracized, shunned, or disowned by family, friends, and spiritual and community groups is an unfortunate reality for many 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, particularly youth. When a victim/survivor is already isolated from unsupportive friends and families, it can be even easier for a perpetrator to isolate and control them.
- 2SLGBTQIA+ community can play a large role in an individual’s own identity and connection to others. Community can also be used as an abuse tactic by perpetrators, through isolating victims/survivors from their identified communities or “chosen family” in order to control them. For partners that have overlapping community connections, a perpetrator might ostracize a victim/survivor from the community by controlling the narrative and accusing them of being the abuser. It can also be difficult to make new connections because of the relatively small size of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in various areas, and not knowing who a perpetrator is connected to.
Lack of Services
- As mentioned above, cis-heteronormativity is pervasive in many societal institutions, with social services being no exception. Cis-heteronormative assumptions create unsafe conditions for 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors have to continuously come out, explain and justify their abuse, and often need to educate service providers that don’t understand 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships.
- Stereotypes about abuse dynamics and 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships also impact the availability of services. Many people believe that men don’t experience IPV, that women can’t be physically abusive, or that abuse doesn’t happen in 2SLGBTQIA+ relationships. These stereotypes create even more barriers for victims/survivors seeking resources.
- Many shelters are overcapacity and under-staffed, especially with the on-going housing crisis across the country. Even with the limited available shelter services for IPV victims/survivors, shelters also pose particular safety risks for 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors. Most shelters aren’t able to provide single rooms, which creates risks of harassment and further violence for trans folks. Additionally, very few shelters will explicitly state whether they are safe for 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors, so most 2SLGBTQIA+ folks will not take the risk in accessing those services and being harmed further.
- There is a complex history between police and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and many 2SLGBTQIA+ folks do not feel safe with police. 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors might fear either themselves or their partner being victimized by police and will avoid calling emergency services. This means that there are fewer paths to safety for victims/survivors that are seeking support.
Outing
- Coming out is a pivotal part of any 2SLGBTQIA+ person’s life, and it is important that each individual has the space and safety to do so in a way that is comfortable for them.
- For many 2SLGBTQIA+ folks across Canada, it is simply not safe for them to be themselves publicly. Being outed poses potential and real harm for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in fear of rejection, risk of physical harm, loss of basic needs (housing, employment, medical care), loss of community, and isolation.
- Perpetrators might use the threat of “outing” to an employer, landlord, family/friends/community, children and/or children’s services (schools, social workers, peers), or religious community in order to control a victim/survivor.
Healthcare
- There are already significant barriers to accessing competent and safe health care for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. Navigating the healthcare system poses massive challenges for individuals, but can be further complicated by IPV. There are extremely limited 2SLGBTQIA+ competent healthcare resources, which is further affected by socio-economic status, rural versus urban locations, race, and dis/ability. Victims/survivors might not feel safe enough with their healthcare providers to discuss IPV when they are already facing barriers in accessing regular medical care. If a victim/survivor does discuss their relationship, they might have to educate the provider on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and “out” themselves in an unsafe environment. Even if it is not an unsafe environment, it can still put a victim/survivor in a position of doing emotional labour by educating professionals.
- Access to healthcare is another way that perpetrators can use to control transgender victims/survivors. Withholding medications like hormones, not taking care of them post-surgery, and controlling gender expression are all examples of how perpetrators can use healthcare as an abuse tactic.
Substance Use
- Research shows that 2SLGBTQIA+ people are more likely to use substances like alcohol, nicotine, and illicit substances than heterosexual people. There are a number of reasons for this including substance use as a coping mechanism for minority stress and mental illness, and many 2SLGBTQIA+ social and cultural events being associated with substance use like gay bars.
- Research also shows that using substances can heighten IPV and increases the risk of severe harm to victims/survivors.
Financial Abuse
- 2SLGBTQIA+ folks experience employment discrimination and harassment at work, therefore impacting income and socio-economic status. Studies have estimated that half of the trans population in Ontario are living on less than $15,000 per year. When living in poverty, people are often choosing between basic necessities and quality of life. Not being able to afford gender-affirming clothing and gear like binders, cosmetics, procedures, and medications can have negative consequences on health and wellbeing.
- Perpetrators can use income, or lack thereof, to control victims/survivors by restricting access to gender affirming items, housing, and could threaten to cut off medications if a victim/survivor leaves. Alternatively, a perpetrator could insist that their needs are more salient than the victim/survivor’s needs, and use their identity as a way of avoiding accountability.
Legal Issues
- Many 2SLGBTQIA+ folks choose to change their birth name to one that better aligns with their gender identity. Legally changing a name and gender marker on legal documents is an expensive and time intensive process, but not legally changing these documents can cause legal challenges.
- When victims/survivors are trying to leave, they might need to bring outdated documents that do not reflect their name and gender accurately, such as birth certificates, identification, deeds, and children’s documents. This can pose challenges when a victim/survivor is trying to navigate the legal system, particularly when it comes to child custody and safety in school.
What neighbours, friends and family can do
Some things that you can do to support your 2SLGBTQIA+ loved one experiencing intimate partner violence are
Be aware of your biases and leave them out of the conversation
It’s important to be aware of your own internal biases, and check them at the door when trying to help 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors. Try to work on unlearning assumptions and biases to provide support.
Keep intersectionality in mind
Remember that there might be overlapping concerns about race, dis/ability, socio-economic status, religion, and more. These factors need to be considered in safety planning and providing resources.
Lead with compassion and understanding
Be realistic, be creative
If you are in a position to offer practical support for a victim/survivor– such as a bed, access to a vehicle, or financial support– that’s great! If not, be realistic about what resources are available in your community. Try calling around to different shelters to ask if they are able to support 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors and what policies they have in place.
Prioritize safety
When supporting someone experiencing IPV, remember to prioritize the safety of yourself and others. Assess the risks and keep them in mind when safety planning or taking action.
Trauma informed care
Understand and consider the pervasiveness of trauma, and promote healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may unintentionally re-traumatize victims/survivors. The six principles of trauma informed care are: safety, trust, support, empowerment, collaboration, and culture. Visit our blog post (link to blog post) to learn more about these principles and how to use them when supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ victims/survivors.
