GLBT – Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender

Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of their race, class, age, appearance, or sexual orientation. Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people are subject to the same spectrum of sexual violence as the general population.

There is a myth that sexual assault doesn’t occur in gay and lesbian relationships, but it is just that, a myth. Women are sometimes raped or sexually assaulted by their female partners or dates, and men can be assaulted by their male partners or dates. Survivors of same-sex date rape have to deal with the same issues as survivors of opposite-sex date rape, with the addition of concerns about homophobic responses from others and beliefs that same-sex partners cannot sexually assault each other. These additional issues make it all the more important for GLBT survivors to find support in helping them to recover and cope with the trauma of having been sexually assaulted.

Rape/sexual assault is a tool of control and domination by women over other women, and men over other men. GLBT victims of sexual assault confront the same issues as any survivor, but must also deal with unique issues.

Same-Sex assault:

• Includes forced vaginal or anal penetration, forced oral sex, or other forced sexual activity.
• As with opposite sex assaults, the assault may occur within the context of an otherwise consensual relationship.
• It may include a penis, fist, finger, dildo or other object.
• Victims are even less likely than opposite-sex survivors to report the assault.
• There is often a tendency to blame their victimization on their sexual orientation.
• Reporting is deterred by concerns about being “outed”, perceptions of police and care-givers as homophobic, being seen as a “traitor” to the gay community, and lack of gay services
• Victims experience the same emotional reactions, and are in need of the same support and intervention services, as opposite sex assault survivors.

Woman to Woman Assault:

• Survivors often experience a sense of betrayal and disbelief that a woman could assault another woman
• Woman-to-woman assaults are often trivialized or viewed as harmless “cat fights” with no real victim and no injury. This is an inaccurate misperception.
• Woman-to-woman assaults are rarely perpetrated by strangers, or by heterosexual women.
• Although there is typically no concern for pregnancy, there is the possibility of internal injuries and sexually transmitted infections.

Male to Male Assault:

• The most common male-to-male assault is the rape of a man who is perceived to be gay by a heterosexual man.
• An assault of a heterosexual man leads him to question his sexual orientation.
• Male-to-male assaults also occur between gay men.
• Male victims often react with more overt anger than women do.

Help is available and recovery is possible. Talking with someone helps your recovery. Free and confidential services are available from The Rape Crisis Center – 24 Hour Hotline – 702-366-1640 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

GLBT specific websites:

GLBT community resources - www.lambda.org
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs - www.NCAVP.org
Gay and Lesbian Center – Las Vegas - http://www.thecenter-lasvegas.com/