"Are You-?" "Are You?" Queer Advocacy at Contemporary Neoliberal Rape Crisis Centers

Violence Against Women. 2023 Dec;29(15-16):3072-3100. doi: 10.1177/10778012231192606. Epub 2023 Aug 7.

Abstract

Antirape scholarship has largely focused on survivors and their needs. However, little is known about victim advocates, who support survivors, and how advocates' identities can affect their work. This article draws on semistructured interviews with 23 LGBTQ+ advocates to explore how they navigate their sexual, gender, and racial identities at rape crisis centers today. Results show that LGBTQ+ advocates choose the ways that their sexual and gender identities are visible or invisible at their agency, usually to improve LGBTQ+ survivor services. By examining LGBTQ+ advocacy, this article critically evaluates normativity in antirape work and advocates for a queer transformation of rape victim services.

Keywords: LGBTQ+; queer; rape crisis center; sexual assault; victim advocacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Rape*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Survivors