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Domestic Violence & the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community

This section provides users with articles, legislative and case law updates, and other resources addressing New York-based legal rights and remedies available to gay, lesbian, bisexual transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) victims of intimate partner violence.

*Please be advised that both the state and national landscape regarding the legal rights of GLBTQ individuals and their families is a very complex, confusing, and quickly-evolving area of law.  These postings may not fully reflect current legal developments and users should not rely on this information as a source of legal advice.

 

 

ARTICLES

Legal Options for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in New York
In New York, many different types of civil (non-criminal) or criminal legal relief may be available to help you. However, because New York law doesn’t consistently recognize all GLBT relationships, certain legal protections may be challenging to obtain here. Read More

Marriage Equality: A Historic Victory for LGBT Families in New York
On June 24, 2011, New York became the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Governor Cuomo immediately signed this historic legislation into law just shy of midnight making the new law effective on Sunday July 24. Read More

 

 

IN THE NEWS

Dickerson Decision: Press Coverage from Across New York
Press coverage of the ground breaking decision. Read More


Dickerson Decision: Clears up Civil Union Confusion in the Courts and Brings Long Awaited Justice to Victim
In a landmark decision in the case of Dickerson v. Thompson, the Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed a lower court’s ruling and granted dissolution of a Vermont civil union for lifelong New York resident and victim of intimate partner abuse, Audrey Dickerson. Dickerson sought relief in New York because, as a non-resident of Vermont, she was unable to dissolve her civil union there. Read More


POLICY ADVOCACY

Empire Justice Urges Governor Cuomo to Sign Critical Domestic Violence Legislation
Update the Social Services Law to include protection for victims in "intimate relationships." Read More