The Anti-Violence Project

This short video clip shows a historic moment for AVP and the LGBTQ community.

With your help, we have been the driving force behind a huge national legislative victory that will truly change the lives of LGBTQ survivors of violence.

When Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act with language that explicitly protects LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence, the federal government has recognized that we deserve the same protections as our neighbors, including the first ever federal LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination protections.

At the bill signing, President Obama had this to say about AVP:
 

“Today is about all the Americans who face discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity when they seek help.  So I want to thank Sharon Stapel who’s here…for the work she’s doing -- the great work she’s doing with the Anti-Violence Project.  But Sharon and all the other advocates who are focused on this community, they can’t do it alone.”

He is right.  But we never did it alone.  We did it with you by our side.  And as I stood on that stage with the President as he signed the bill I thought of you and the thousands of survivors that have worked so hard to end violence.

This legislation is a tremendous step forward, but it will not - by itself - end the violence that LGBTQ people experience.  Now the real work begins: reaching every person experiencing violence and giving them the support they need.

I hope you will donate to celebrate this victory and help fund our next steps.

Your donation will be put to work immediately to support survivors of violence.  With your contribution, we will be able to continue to offer our services completely free of charge for all who need them.

AVP must be there for all survivors of violence, and because of your support, AVP will be there for them.

I cannot thank you enough for your role in this historic victory for our LGBTQ communities.  Together, we can end this violence.

With gratitude,
 
Sharon Stapel
Executive Director

PS – Sharon was interviewed for a CNN article that gets to the heart of what an LGBT-inclusive VAWA means to our communities. Read it here.