The Hill News

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) was encouraged by an announcement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighting new recommendations to improve the lives and health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, including addressing domestic violence as it distinctly impacts LGBT survivors. On April 1, HHS stated “The recommendations were developed in response to the Presidential Memorandum on Hospital Visitation, which, in addition to addressing the rights of patients to designate visitors regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, directed the secretary to explore additional steps HHS could take to improve the lives of LGBT people.”

HHH's 2011 and 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcements under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Program was posted on April 1 during LGBT health awareness week. To it's credit, HHS articulated a new and increased commitment to recognize LGBT populations as under-served c! ommunities and to identify LGBT populations as target populations for other population-specific grants. This commitment advances the important work that the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), a program of AVP, has done to expand access to funding for local anti-violence programs throughout the United States. Funding for LGBT-specific AVPs will allow LGBT survivors to access competent services that recognize, respect and respond to the specific needs and obstacles that LGBT people face.

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