Queer Eye

"Queer Eye..."
By Dan Waterhouse

First GLBT Domestic Violence Shelter in California

The only domestic violence shelter in California dedicated to serving the GLBT community is here, in North Fresno. The Central California Pride Network opened Rainbow Haven, a five-bedroom home that can house up to 10 clients at any one time, in July 2003.

According to CCPN program director Gail Carpenter, the only domestic violence shelter in Fresno is the Marjaree Mason Center, which serves primarily women and their children. "In Fresno County," Carpenter says, "male victims of domestic violence are housed in motels, which is not a good value for the dollar."

She relates that last July, CCPN was confronted with a number of men at the same time seeking help. "Charlotte Jenks (the head of CCPN) ran the numbers," Carpenter said, "and then called the
California Endowment." Once funding was confirmed, CCPN went out and found a house. Rainbow Haven opened July 1st.

According to Carpenter, the Haven hasn't lacked for clients since opening. Rainbow Haven clients can stay up to six months. Most services allow only for much shorter stays. In San Francisco, vouchers are provided for up to three days in a motel. CPN major focus is on family violence and its survivors. Carpenter says that family violence includes domestic violence as well as homophobic violence by other family members.

Carpenter explains that there are few if any studies on domestic violence in the GLBT community.
"Based upon the statistics for straight women," she says, "one in four GLBT relationships are
abusive." She said many clients were abused at home, and that crosses over into later relationships. Many have alcohol or drug issues. CCPN refers their clients to appropriate community services as needed. "We'd love to close our doors due to a lack of a need for our services," Carpenter says. "But we don''t see that happening anytime soon. CCPN also gathers information about hate crimes and provides services to victims.

The Pride Against Crimes of Hate program provides counseling, advocacy and case management to victims of hate crimes, including hate crimes perpetrated because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age. This program also includes statistical collection and analysis. Data is collected using a questionnaire completed by clients as part of the intake process. From the information gathered, CCPN hopes to obtain a clearer picture as to whether there is adequate and appropriate law enforcement response to victims of hate crimes and what areas of need victims feel are not being addressed.

If you'd like more information about CCPN and Rainbow Haven, visit their website at
<http://www.ccpridenet.org> or call the office at 486-2216. CCPN is located at 930 N. Van Ness in the Tower District.

About the Columnist. Dan Waterhouse is a columnist for NewsLink, Central California''s only glbt
news source. He pens the Waterhouse Report, which is far-ranging, occasionally provocative, and
highly opinionated, every month.