LGBTQ+ Services
CONTENT WARNING: Homophobic, transphobic, and cissexist-based sexual violence statistics, forms of abuse, and barriers to seeking help.
LGBTQ+ people are at a heightened risk of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. LGBT people are 4x more likely to experience violence than other demographics. They are about 6x more likely to experience violence by someone who is well known to them and about 2.5x more likely to undergo it at the hands of a stranger, compared to non-LGBT people. LBT women are 5x more likely than non-LBT women to experience violent victimization. GBT men are more than 2x at risk of violence than non-GBT men.
At Avalon, we are aware of the toll that violence takes on LGBTQ+ members of our community, and we are here to help. The following sections are here to educate our community about the specific forms of violence experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members of our community. If these experiences speak to you, we are here for you.
LGBTQ+ Services
Avalon Healing Center provides inclusive services and resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the high number of experiences of discrimination and violence, many LGBTQ+ individuals feel they have nowhere to go for assistance. In order to cultivate a safe and accessible environment, our staff are dedicated to engaging in ongoing training on issues faced by people who identify as LGBTQ+ and emphasize access to sexual assault care that is affirming to all identities.
- Counseling Services: Group & Individual Trauma-Informed Counseling with multiple LGBTQ+ and trans-affirmative counselors/advocates.
- LGBTQ+ Advocacy: Includes working with the Detroit Police Department through a collaborative Advisory Board, concentrating on rebuilding the relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and police, encouraging Law Enforcement to receive training around LGBTQ+ social issues, etc.
- Community Outreach: Includes access to gender-affirming clothing at the center and providing referrals to our community partners (i.e. food pantries/resources, rent and utility assistance, other resources, etc.)
- Access to free services found at our Wellness Clinic: Including STI testing, condoms and dental dams, follow-up HIV testing, nPEP medication management, etc.