Recognizing May 28, 2025, as LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia to shed light on domestic, family, and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ communities.

WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day was first established in Australia by the LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation in 2020 to highlight the domestic, family, and intimate partner violence occurring within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2024, the theme #SeenAndBelieved was used to support LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence; and

WHEREAS, Nationally, LGBTQ+ adults and teens are more likely to experience intimate partner violence than their heterosexual, cisgender peers, and are less likely to find resources to support them; and

WHEREAS, The 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey found that about 44% of lesbians, 61% of bisexual women, 26% of gay men, and 37% of bisexual men have reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking within an intimate relationship. Additionally, The US Transgender Survey in 2015 found that transgender individuals experience some of the highest levels of intimate partner violence with 54% of individuals reporting experiencing violence within their relationships; and

WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, 32% of LGBTQ+ individuals who received support from the District Attorney’s Office are victims in cases with violent acts; and

WHEREAS, According to the DAO’s automated tool, which searches arrest writeups for

keywords such as “transgender” or “gay” to identify incidents involving LGBTQ+ individuals, 3 out of every 4 arrests involve domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, One in four LGBTQ+ youth experiences intimate partner violence, which can lead to overwhelming amount of negative social, emotional, and physical outcomes, such as struggling academically leading to suspension or expulsion, and increased anxiety; and

WHEREAS, Many organizations in Philadelphia, like The Attic Youth Center and GALAEI, provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals to receive supportive services that are focused on the dynamics of LGBTQ+ identity, such as affirmative and strength-based counseling, for participants who experience violence within their relationships due to societal stigmas, fear of being outed, and other systems of oppression; and

WHEREAS, Today, LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day is a global event observed in 20 different countries, and increases visibility and understanding to give hope and courage to victims and survivors and empower them to seek the support they need: now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes May 28th as LGBTQ+ Domestic Violence Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to The Attic Youth Center as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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