Are you a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person who is in an abusive relationship? You could be in an abusive relationship with your partner or family member if you have experienced any of the following:

· You constantly worry about your lover's moods and change your behavior to deal with them

· You feel like you are "walking on eggshells"

· You are afraid of his/her temper

· You don't see family or friends to avoid his/her jealousy or anger

· Your lover wants to control where you go and what you do

· He/she wants to take all of your money or wants you to need/her for their money

· He/she constantly accuses you of having affairs

· He/she ridicules, puts down or humiliates you

· You find yourself doing what he/she wants to avoid anger

· Your lover blames you for all of the failures in the relationship

· He/she screams at you, throws things, breaks or steals your things

· He/she harms or threatens to harm your children or pets

· He/she threatens to tell your employer, family or others about your sexuality or HIV status

· He/she hits, kicks, slaps, shoves, burns, punches or restrains you

· He/she claims that they can't handle themselves because of drugs, alcohol or because of an abusive childhood, etc.

· He/she forces you to have sex, hurts you during sex or forces you to do sexual things against your will

· He/she uses or threatens to use guns, knives or other weapons to harm or scare you.

OR, If you have abused your partner in any of these ways….HELP IS AVAILABLE

Esperanza, a leader in the prevention, education & treatment of domestic violence, announces the formation of a domestic violence program designed specifically for the LGBT community.

Services include:

24 hour crisis line 1-800-473-5220

24 hour safe, confidential shelter

Individual counseling

Men and Women's groups for both victim and survivor

Legal advocacy, therapists & programs designed for the LGBT community

Bilingual services available

Call Esperanza to find out more: 474-5536

Funding for this project provided by the Santa Fe Community Foundation