Rainbow Response is a grassroots coalition that brings together organizations and leaders from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) communities, along with domestic violence (DV) organizations and government agencies. Our coalition building began with several individuals discussing projects underway by disparate organizations that appeared very similar, concerned about the duplication of efforts and the lost synergies by "working in a vacuum." Both local and national LGBTQ and DV organizations now participate in the coalition, along with several committed individual members not affiliated with a member organization.

Our April 8 Town Hall is supported by over 50 diverse organizations.

As evidenced by the Town Hall, we collaborate to increase the awareness about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) amid the relationships of LGBTQ individuals,educating within the LGBTQ communities and beyond.

We also identify existing services that are provided in a manner respoectful of the unique identities of LGBTQ survivors of IPV, as well as batterers; and we advocate for the creation of more LGBTQ-specific or -sensitive services and adequate funding to support such services and all services for survivors of violence.

Organizations participating in Rainbow Response include:

Asian Pacific Islander Queer Sisters
Break the Cycle
Brother Help Thyself
Community Crisis Services, Inc
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
DC Mayor's Office on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Affairs
DC Rape Crisis Center
District Alliance for Safe Housing, Inc.
Domestic Resource Violence Project
INCITE!-DC
Metropolitan Police Department Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit
Survivors & Advocates for Empowerment
The Whitman-Walker Clinic
Women in the Life Association
Women Empowered Against Violence
.
Rainbow Response also includes individuals offering their time and skills without affiliation with any of our partner organizations.

If you or your organization would like to be involved in Rainbow Response, please