THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"We are deeply saddened by the homicide of Gerald Moore," said Kathy Flores, LGBTQ Anti-Violence Statewide Program Coordinator at Diverse and Resilient. "While we don't know all the details of this case just yet, we've learned Gerald was a victim of intimate partner violence within his relationship before and it is believed this is how he lost his life. There continues to be many barriers for gay victims of violence, particularly gay men of color. A lack of understanding about intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships, both within the LGBTQ community and the community at large, continues to exist further causing more isolation of victims when they are unsure of what systems are designed to help them. Unfortunately, when there is a past history of violence in a relationship, it will often escalate. Gay male victims often feel shame about reaching out for help due to damaging messages in our community about what it means to be a male survivor. It is our sincere hope that not one more life is lost to intimate partner violence."

If you or someone you know is a victim of intimate partner violence in the Wisconsin area, please reach out to the Room to Be Safe LGBTQ Anti-Violence line at 414-856-LGBT ( 5428 ). An LGBTQ advocate is available to help with safety planning, support and to help you connect to services within our communities. You can also visit roomtobesafe.org for more information.

"We send love and care to Gerald's friends and loved ones," said Essex Lordes, NCAVP Coordinator at the New York City Anti Violence Project. "As a society, the issue of LGBTQ intimate partner violence is often ignored, and if we continue to ignore it, we will have many more tragedies such as this one that could be prevented by more public awareness and less stigmatization. Intimate partner violence is a pervasive part of our community, and it's our collective responsibility to support and care for each other throughout experiences of intimate partner violence, because we cannot rely solely on police to address it only when it has reached a dangerous level. Bystanders, friends, and family have the capacity to—and must be supported in—intervening around intimate partner violence before it escalates."

NCAVP's report Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV Affected Communities in 2015, released in October 2016, documented 13 IPV homicides in 2015. Of the thirteen homicides, four of the victims were cisgender women, all of whom were killed by current or former male partners. Additionally, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lesbians, gay men and bisexual people experience intimate partner violence at the same or higher rates as non-LGB people.

NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .

NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.