Skip to Main Content

Printer Friendly

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) Domestic and 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

Dickerson v. Thompson
The Fight to Dissolve Civil Unions in New York
Beginning in 2000, Vermont became the first state in the country to offer civil unions. Like many other states, Vermont imposed no residency requirement on celebrants. As a result, many non-Vermonters traveled there to gain access to what was, at the time, the most significant, state-sanctioned legal relationship status granting comprehensive rights and benefits to gay and lesbian couples. Read More


Domestic Violence & the GLBT Community: Articles


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


Domestic Violence and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community: In the News


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




NEWSLETTERS

Legal Services Journal - Summer 2011
The Summer 2011 Legal Services Journal reports on a wide range of poverty law topics with an emphasis on areas impacted by New York State budget cuts and other legislative activities. The issue reviews Empire Justice Center's 2011-2012 legislative priorities and includes an in-depth look at legislative activities in the domestic violence area. The Journal also reports on several key public benefits and health areas affected by the recent State budget cuts including child care, 24-hour home care and the EPIC program for seniors. Other articles address kinship guardianship, immigrant eligibility for food stamps, Medicaid Managed Care, standing to sue in foreclosure cases, upcoming changes in fair hearings, and the challenges faced by pro se litigants with disabilities when navigating the family court system. Thanks to all of our authors for their contributions to this issue of the Legal Services Journal. Read More



TRAINING AND EVENTS

Working With LGBT(Q) Clients
This presenters discusses the research documenting the intersection of poverty and economic injustice in these communities. They will further address the emerging needs of LGBTQ-identified youth, including youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Participants will also learn about ways that civil legal services office can create an inclusive, safe, and comfortable atmosphere both for clients, as well as LGBTQ staff. Read More