Prevalence of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ individuals: An intersectional approach

Abstract

Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) as a public and social health issue is extensive. Originally, it focused primarily on young, White, heterosexual cisgender women and was embedded within a feminist, gendered perspective that framed IPV as male violence against females that stemmed from patriarchal domination of men over women. It is only recently that researchers have begun to study IPV among LGBTQ individuals. The topic remains understudied, particularly for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people. Moreover, most of this research has not taken into account the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity with other social identities. The purpose of this chapter is to explore current knowledge regarding the prevalence of IPV among LGBTQ individuals. In order to achieve this goal, we start with a brief history of the research on IPV both in heterosexual cisgender and sexual and gender minority individuals. We then compare ways in which IPV is experienced both similarly and differently in these populations. Next, we examine several methodological issues that create difficulties in determining the prevalence of IPV among LBGTQ populations. These methodological challenges include measurement issues, defining the LGBTQ population, and adequately sampling that population. Finally, we explore the prevalence of IPV in LGBTQ individuals through the intersectional lenses of sexual identity, gender identity, gender, age, and racial/ethnic identity. We conclude by noting that much remains to be accomplished not only in the areas noted above, but also through the incorporation of the role of other intersecting social identities, including social class, ableness, nationality, and citizenship status.