Sarah's Inn, the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association and the Oak Park Public Library will sponsor a special community forum, Domestic Violence in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Community.
Domestic violence occurs in about one of three lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LBT) relationships, the same as heterosexual relationships. However LGBT individuals who have been abused have more difficulty finding appropriate support and community resources than heterosexuals.
Utilizing existing services can be problematic because it often means LGBT individuals have to 'come out' or may have to hide their sexual orientation to receive services designed for the 'straight' population.
The availability of knowledge and services dealing with domestic violence in the LGBT community has often been ignored. This community forum will help remedy this by addressing the facts of domestic violence in the LGBT community, the barriers to accessing services, teen dating violence, community resources and other related issues.
Everyone is welcome to this free program that will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at the Oak Park Library at 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Registration and refreshments are from 6-6:30 p.m. and the forum begins at 6:30 will last until 8:45 p.m. This event is made possible by funding from the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation Partnership Program.
For additional information regarding this upcoming event, contact Christine Belser at (708) 386-3305 at Sarah's Inn, a comprehensive domestic violence agency that provides aid to abused women and their children in 23 communities in the near west suburbs and areas along Chicago's western border.
The 24-hour Crisis Line is 708-386-4225.