Domestic violence prevails in the LGBTQ2S+ experience: Why aren’t we talking about it?

A close-up of hands. (João Jesus/pexels.com)

At least six women have died so far this year in Quebec at the hands of an intimate partner.

It’s a number Quebec provincial police say they are following closely, as 2026’s statistics are already almost equal to the average number of femicides per year over the last decade.

Among the many women killed by their partners is one record of a man murdered by a male partner: Patrick McKensie in 2025, according to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

• READ MORE: Domestic violence reports rising in Quebec: Can taking care of men save women’s lives?

The force’s records do not show any instances of a woman being killed by an intimate female partner.

Despite this, RÉZO, an organization that oversees the well-being of gay, bisexual, queer men, and trans people in Montreal, argues that this does not mean that intimate partner violence is less prevalent in the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Rather, the organization says it believes conversations surrounding domestic abuse tend to be more subdued among sexual and gender diverse people.

The problem, muses Jean-Nicolas Granger, a project officer at RÉZO, lies in the fact that domestic violence is “still too strongly influenced by a heterocentric view.”

“We immediately imagine the man as the perpetrator and the woman as the victim,” he explains. “This socialization of ‘hetero’ violence influences our reference points and makes it more difficult for people of diverse sexualities and genders to recognize themselves in a situation of domestic violence.”

According to a 2019 Statistics Canada study on domestic violence, there were 22,323 reports to police for abuse among same-sex couples between 2009 and 2017.

• READ MORE: Reported violence and discrimination against LGBTQ2S+ people more than doubled last year: Interligne

This represents three per cent of all cases, though same-sex couples represent just one per cent of married or common-law relationships in Canada.

“While intimate partner violence and spousal violence are largely considered to be a form of gender-based violence perpetrated by men against women, such violence — for both victims and perpetrators — is not limited to those of one gender or sexual orientation," the study notes, adding that some research shows “a higher prevalence of intimate partner violence among those who are non-heterosexual.”

Additionally, Granger points to a 2018 survey on gender-based violence that shows, according to self-reported data, that the rate of violence is higher among sexually and gender-diverse people.

It finds that 67 per cent of non-heterosexual women have experienced abuse, compared to 44 per cent of women overall.

• READ MORE: ‘No body, no proof’: Victim of domestic violence fearful as her abuser is released from prison

For men, those numbers are 54 per cent for non-heterosexual men compared to 36 per cent of heterosexual men.

Additionally, 59 per cent of transgender and gender-diverse people have experienced violent victimization compared to 37 per cent of cisgender people.

Seeing the signs

For its part, the Centre de Solidarité Lesbienne classifies domestic abuse as a “consistent strategy of control and domination that undermines the dignity, safety and integrity of one’s partner” to “manipulate situations to one’s advantage.”

Though it was unable to give CTV News an interview, the centre points out that “spousal abuse usually begins during the first year of the relationship, and generally escalates over time.”

“Abusive behaviours can be obvious or very subtle, and they may not always leave any visible signs,” the centre states.

It points out that there are many forms of abuse, including psychological, harassment, gaslighting, verbal, economic, sexual (including phobic) and physical.

• READ MORE: Quebec family bill raises concerns for domestic violence groups

To this end, Granger adds that many sexual and gender diverse people often have trouble recognizing different forms of violence in their intimate or romantic relationships unless it is blatantly physical or sexual.

“Data also show that it can be difficult to talk about because people don’t want to damage the image of their own community,” he noted. “Our communities are already highly marginalized in a heterocentric society, so there is a desire to protect our image to avoid adding to the stigma.”

RÉZO notes that of 2,445 interventions carried out by one of its teams in 2024, 481 involved an issue related to violence.

“What we observe above all is that violence is rarely the initial reason for consultation,” said Granger. “There is another initial request, and during the course of follow-up, the issue of violence becomes a priority.”

He says the organization’s teams work hard to aid victims in recognizing whether or not they are experiencing intimate partner violence.

All the same, one of the ongoing failings, according to Granger, is that situations of domestic abuse are “significantly underreported” in the LGBTQ2S+ community.

He says this makes it difficult to collect evidence and apply for funding to increase the number of resources available to those in need.

• READ MORE: Most 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians fear their rights will roll back: report

“There are 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations that do not specialize in domestic violence or do not always have trained staff to address these situations adequately,” said Granger. “Some tools have been developed in relation to violence in recent years, but ongoing front-line intervention remains limited.”

To those experiencing abuse in a relationship, Granger says he wants them to know that “everyone has the right to ask for help.”

“You don’t have to be sure that what you’re going through is ‘serious enough,’” he insists. “The simple fact that you’re asking yourself this question is already a sign that something isn’t working, and that’s enough.”

Seeking help

• Call 911 if you’re in immediate danger. If 911 isn’t available where you are, call your local police.
• Seek medical attention if needed. If you’ve been sexually assaulted, consider seeking medical attention. Not all injuries are visible. You can also ask about emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and pregnancy testing.
• Find a support service. 24/7 phone or chat support is available. Learn where to get help

Other resources

• Your local CLSC or Info-Santé: 811
• SOS violence conjugale: 514-873-9010 or 1-800-363-9010. You can also text 438-601-1211 or email [e-mail]
• Sexual Violence Helpline: 514-933-9007 or 1-888-933-9007. There is also an online chat.
• Montreal Sexual Assault Centre: 514-731-8531, ext. 47456 or [e-mail]
• Crime Victim Assistance Centre: 1-888-933-9007 or 514 933-9007 (Greater Montreal)
• Assistance aux femmes: 514-270-8291
• Shield of Athena: 514-274-8117 or 1-877-274-8117.
• Find the nearest shelter at Women’s Shelters Canada.
• RÉZO Santé: 514 521 7778
• Centre de solidarité lesbienne: 514-526-2452 or [e-mail]