*Resources below*
Pride Month honors the resilience and strength of the LGBTQ+ community in the face of violence, discrimination, and systemic oppression. For us at CCAW, it is also a time to shine a spotlight on the unique and often overlooked experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals—particularly those who are survivors of gender-based violence.
Violence does not discriminate, but far too often, systems meant to protect do. Members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender women and queer women of color, face disproportionate rates of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and hate crimes. These acts of violence are compounded by fear of reporting, mistrust in law enforcement, and barriers to accessing justice and healing.
At CCAW, we believe that every survivor deserves to be heard, protected, and empowered—regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Pride is more than a celebration, it’s a promise. It’s a promise that we will continue to center LGBTQ+ voices in our work. That we will equip first responders, advocates, law enforcement, and legal professionals with the tools to recognize and respond to crimes committed against LGBTQ+ individuals with cultural competence and compassion. It’s a promise that we will not stay silent in the face of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, legislation, or violence. We recognize that true allyship means more than showing up in June, it means showing up every day.
At CCAW, we are committed to creating a world where everyone—regardless of identity—can live free from violence and fear. Through our sessions, trainings, and partnerships, we continually seek to amplify the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors and ensure that every layer of our work reflects our belief in dignity and justice for all.
This Pride Month, and every month, we reaffirm: Your identity is valid. Your safety is non-negotiable. Your life matters.
Happy Pride! 🏳️🌈
Resources from CCAW programs for the LGBTQIA+ Community:
Click each title to access the resource.
Upcoming Trainings:
Click to view more details.
Presented by Proud To Be Your Friend.
ICCR Webinars:
Click the title to view the webinar.
Presented by Ruth Perrin & Anya Lynn-Alesker, ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Presented by Michael Munson, FORGE
PCAW Episodes:
Click the title to listen to the episode.
Joining forces with Sergeant Michael Wilmore-Crumrine, we venture into the complex terrain of gender-based violence and the unique struggles within the LGBTQI+ community. With Sgt. Wilmore-Crumrine’s background in law enforcement and his drive for advocacy, our conversation peels back layers on the societal factors that fuel such violence, and how those most vulnerable are often unfairly blamed. His own path to policing, marked by a dedication to standing up to bullies and seeking justice, sets the stage as we explore the inception of the Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association in Austin, Texas, and its vital role in creating a more inclusive and secure environment for everyone.
The heartbeat of this episode thrums with the theme of inclusivity, particularly within the echelons of law enforcement. We confront the reality of biases—be it homophobia or transphobia—that can erode the very foundation of trust communities have in their police force. Sgt. Wilmore-Crumrine illuminates the intersectional challenges that compound the experiences of LGBTQI+ individuals, especially when they intersect with other marginalized identities. He advocates for rigorous training and the establishment of national standards that promise equal protection and respect for each citizen, no matter their background.
Capping off our enlightening discussion, we tackle the pivotal role of expert witnesses in LGBTQI+ cases, and how their expertise on trauma and victim behavior is indispensable in the courtroom. Sgt. Wilmore-Crumrine shares a compelling narrative of a case involving a male serial rapist, highlighting the systemic obstacles faced by victims from marginalized groups.
Episode three of the second season of the Podcast on Crimes Against Women welcomes Dr. Paige Baker-Braxton, Director of In Power Services for Howard Brown Health Center. Paige sheds light on the barriers unique to transgender women, the extremely high rates of violence toward transgender women, and what In Power is doing to move the needle in the right direction for a more holistic approach to harm reduction and trauma-informed care.
In this third episode in a series about addressing barriers of survivors of violence, we explore how advocates and organizations can be more inclusive of transgender women in their practices, how we can lessen the stigma and create more acceptance toward the transgender community, and how trans voices can be heard and integrated into solutions.
