The US Department of Justice (DOJ) recently required that organizations applying for funding under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) certify that they will comply with executive orders that are hateful and discriminatory. A nationwide coalition of domestic violence and sexual assault organizations, represented by Democracy Forward, has filed a lawsuit against the DOJ challenging this requirement, and The Network/La Red is one of two Massachusetts domestic violence organizations that agreed to be named in the lawsuit as having been impacted. Accepting these terms would mean:  

• Ending our hiring of transgender and gender nonconforming staff. 
• No longer offering respectful, affirming services to transgender and gender nonconforming survivors.  
• Ending work with immigrant survivors, especially those who are undocumented.  
• Ending training, technical assistance, and leadership development that focus on transgender and gender nonconforming survivors.  
• Abandoning our anti-oppression principles.  

Complying with these conditions would require us to fundamentally change our staff, the communities we serve, and force us into impossible choices, but we will always choose our integrity and our community. Partner abuse exists to achieve and maintain control and perpetuates the same oppression we continue to experience at the whim of these administrations that utilize and reward imperialist abuse of power to control and exploit groups of people. The Network/La Red links domestic violence to all other forms of violence, oppression and abuse, because the values and tactics behind each are identical. Abuse is abuse, and appeasing abusers is not a choice. We refuse to do the administration’s work for them. We refuse to betray our communities to receive funding.   

We gave up VAWA funding for our Transitional Housing Program because we could not comply with these harmful anti-trans, anti-immigrant, and racist orders. Because of this, our Transitional Housing program will be losing $150,000 dollars, which translates to 6 beds for survivors in need. This is more than a third of the space that we do have and will directly impact the lives of many survivors who are seeking housing due to partner abuse.   

Survivors deserve services that affirm and respect their full humanity—not political conditions that erase them. We stand with our communities, and we will ALWAYS stand with survivors.

Want to support LGBTQ+ survivors? Consider becoming a monthly sustainer or making a donation today.

The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization with over 30 years’ experience working to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Our organization and staff are recognized locally and nationally as experts in providing survivor-centered services and as thought leaders on the issue of LGBTQ+ partner abuse. We blend our history and commitment to being survivor-led, our analysis of LGBTQ+ partner abuse, and our commitment to being an anti-oppressive organization to create a unique framework that is the foundation of our survivor-centered approach. 

We are who we work with; the staff, volunteers, and board of directors of TNLR are members of the very communities the organization serves. We believe that survivors are the experts in their own lives and are therefore committed to centering survivors’ voices and leadership in all aspects of our work. While we offer services for survivors we also organize and educate about partner abuse to create the change we believe is possible for our communities.   

Role Title: Community Awareness Associate
Location: Statewide in Massachusetts. This position works between two Boston area offices with occasional travel across the state and some flexibility to work remotely.
Hours: 40 hours/week; varied schedule with some evenings and weekends required
Supervised by: Marketing and Communications Manager
The Community Awareness Associate leads our in-person and virtual outreach efforts to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ partner abuse and the services we offer survivors by attending statewide events, posting on social media, and supporting the following programs: Coffee with TNLR, Community Conversations, and Community Partnerships. This position will also occasionally provide training for community groups and providers. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and execute TNLR’s outreach strategy to strengthen relationships with statewide providers and communities we serve and extend our reach. 

• Schedule and coordinate internal and external community outreach events throughout the state (Pride, TDOR, etc.), with other Community Awareness Associate. 

• Maintain TNLR’s outreach materials by keeping inventory, preparing materials for events, fulfilling requests for materials, and re-ordering/revising materials as needed.  

• Work with social media team to share information about upcoming events, our services, and our partnerships on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

• Build relationships with QTBIPOC and Spanish-speaking community groups, leaders, and businesses to create a Community Partnership Program with the other Community Awareness Associate. 

• Support Survivor Leadership Associate with Community Conversations, a program designed to foster leadership development among survivors and share information about partner abuse in our communities. 

• Collaborate with TNLR volunteers to plan and facilitate our monthly workshop, Coffee with TNLR, where we educate our communities about the issue of partner abuse and related topics. 

• Support training team with facilitating training for community groups and providers as appropriate. 

• Participate in program development and other organizational projects. 

• Contribute to organizational committees as appropriate. 

• Provide support to survivors of LGBTQ+ partner abuse as needed, including hotline. 

• Maintain files of program activities, provide program information and reports as necessary. 

• Other duties as assigned/necessary. 

Qualifications, Strengths, and Skills: We hire for life experience. People of color, trans people, survivors of partner abuse especially encouraged to apply.   

• Required Qualification: Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.    

The remaining qualifications are for an ideal candidate, but we will consider all types of experience and will absolutely consider candidates who don’t meet all the qualifications. An ideal candidate will: 

• Have a valid driver’s license. 

• Have a minimum of 1 year of experience in at least 2 of the following areas: LGBTQ+ partner abuse; training/public speaking; organizing/community outreach; communications. 

• Be a “people person” – enjoy talking with people (in person and on the phone), have experience making and maintaining connections in community, and be able to represent the organization in professional and social settings. 

• Have excellent listening, organizational, and communication skills.  

• Be able to handle multiple tasks and responsibilities, including the stress of juggling daily tasks, ongoing projects, and crisis support of survivors as it comes up. 

• Have a passion for social change/social justice. 

• Be energetic and able to work independently and as part of a team. 

• Be self-motivated.  

Compensation: This position is Bilingual required (En/Sp) with a bilingual salary at $54,080. TNLR offers a competitive benefits package, including:  

• 100% employer paid health and dental insurance  

• 401k retirement plan and up to a 3% employer match  

• Optional supplemental insurance through AFLAC with up to $30/month employer contribution. 

• Flexible spending account (FSA)  

• Professional development funds  

• Generous time off: annual paid vacation (15 days), sick leave (12 days for physical and mental health), holidays (13 of your choosing), personal days (8 days), and bereavement leave (up to 3 days per loss). 

Application details: Position to begin as soon as possible. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please send a resume and cover letter to: hiring@tnlr.org. 

The Network/La Red does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. 

The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization with over 30 years’ experience working to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Our organization and staff are recognized locally and nationally as experts in providing survivor-centered services and as thought leaders on the issue of LGBTQ+ partner abuse. We blend our history and commitment to being survivor-led, our analysis of LGBTQ+ partner abuse, and our commitment to being an anti-oppressive organization to create a unique framework that is the foundation of our survivor-centered approach.  

We are who we work with, the staff, volunteers, and board of directors of TNLR are members of the very communities the organization serves. We believe that survivors are the experts on their own lives and are therefore committed to centering survivor voices and leadership in all aspects of our work. While we offer services for survivors of partner abuse we also organize and educate about the issue to create the change we believe is possible for our communities.  

Location: Massachusetts – this position works between two Boston area offices with some travel across the state. This position has the option to work from home 1 day per week.
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), varied schedule with some evenings and weekends required
Supervised By: Community Services/Housing Pathways Manager

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services for survivors of partner abuse and their children from LGBTQ+, kink and/or polyamorous communities.
• Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, and information/referrals for survivors of partner abuse (and people in their support systems) through the hotline.
• Provide advocacy, court accompaniment and individual peer support/counseling both via phone and in-person for LGBTQ+, kink, and polyamorous survivors of partner abuse.
• Conduct Safehome Intakes, Transitional Housing Intakes, and Transitional Housing Assessments.
• Support Safehome Program Participants in finding and transitioning from the Network/La Red’s Safehome Program to appropriate longer-term shelter/housing.
• Carry out initial interviews for support groups and facilitate weekly group meetings.
• Assist survivors with Victim Compensation, Address Confidentiality Program, and other resources as needed.
• Provide follow-up contacts with service participants as appropriate.
• Conduct program assessments.
• Co-facilitate Survivor Leadership Series.
• Maintain and contribute to comprehensive resource database.
• Maintain relationships with community groups, organizations, advocates, landlords and other service providers to facilitate advocacy and referrals.
• Attend coalitions, roundtables, etc. as appropriate to increase awareness of The Network/La Red’s direct services.
• Participate in internal meetings, committees, projects, etc. as appropriate.
• Maintain records, statistics, provide reports as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned/needed.

Qualifications, Strengths, and Skills: We hire for life experience. People of color, trans people, survivors of partner abuse especially encouraged to apply.

• Required Qualification: Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.

The remaining qualifications are for an ideal candidate, but we will consider all types of experience and will absolutely consider candidates who don’t meet all qualifications. An ideal candidate will:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have at least 1 year of experience in one or more of the following areas: LGBTQ+ partner abuse work; other partner abuse work; direct services/crisis intervention.
• Have a passion for social justice/social change.
• Have excellent listening and communication skills.
• Be able to juggle multiple responsibilities, including the tension between daily tasks, current projects, and crisis intervention.
• Be energetic and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Compensation: This position is bilingual require (En/Sp) with a salary of $54,080/year. TNLR offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• 100% employer-paid health and dental insurance.
• 401k retirement plan and up to a 3% employer match.
• Optional supplemental insurance through AFLAC with up to $30/month employer contribution.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Professional development funds.
• Generous time off: annual paid vacation (15 days), sick leave (12 days for physical and mental health), holidays (13 of your choosing), personal days (8 days), and bereavement leave (up to 3 days per loss).

Application details: Position to start as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Send resume and cover letter to hiring@tnlr.org.  

The Network/La Red does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Bilingual in English and Spanish required  

The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization with over 30 years’ experience working to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Our organization and staff are recognized locally and nationally as experts in providing survivor-centered services and as thought leaders on the issue of LGBTQ+ partner abuse. We blend our history and commitment to being survivor-led, our analysis of LGBTQ+ partner abuse, and our commitment to being an anti-oppressive organization to create a unique framework that is the foundation of our survivor-centered approach.  

We are who we work with; the staff, volunteers, and board of directors of TNLR are members of the very communities the organization serves. We believe that survivors are the experts in their own lives and are therefore committed to centering survivors’ voices and leadership in all aspects of our work. While we offer services for survivors we also organize and educate about partner abuse to create the change we believe is possible for our communities.    

Role Title: Weekend Hotline Staff
Location: This is a work from home position in the United States.
Hours: Saturdays 8p-8a Sunday (overnight) and one-two virtual evening support meetings a month. Additional relief hours may also be available
Supervised by: Hotline Manager 

Position Overview: This position answers our 24/7 hotline, providing crisis support, supportive counseling, safety planning, information and resources to survivors of partner abuse from the LGBTQ+, Kink, and Polyamorous Communities.  

Part time hours 8p-8a (overnight) Saturdays, and possibly other available weekend hours. Must also be able to virtually attend monthly support meetings on the first Tuesday of the month 7:00pm-9:00pm and third Tuesday 6:00pm-8:00pm. 

 Responsibilities:  

• Provide crisis intervention, supportive counseling, safety planning, and information/referrals for survivors of partner abuse (and people in their support systems) through the hotline. 
• Pass on relevant direct service updates to overnight and daytime staff. 
• Maintain records as necessary. 
• Other duties as assigned/needed.  

Qualifications, Strengths, and Skills: We hire for life experience. People of color, trans people, survivors of partner abuse especially encouraged to apply.    

• Required Qualification: Be bilingual in English and Spanish. 

The remaining qualifications are for an ideal candidate, but we will consider all types of experience and will absolutely consider candidates who don’t meet all the qualifications. An ideal candidate will:  

• Have a minimum of 2 years experience in at least two of the following areas: LGBTQ+  partner abuse work; other partner abuse work; direct services/crisis intervention.  
• Have a passion for social justice/social change.  
• Have excellent listening and communication skills.  
• Be energetic and able to work independently.  

Compensation: This position is Bilingual required (En/Sp) with a bilingual rate of $26.00/hour.

Application details: Position to begin as soon as possible. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please send a resume and cover letter to: hiring@tnlr.org.  

 The Network/La Red does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.  

THE NETWORK/LA RED ANNOUNCES OUR BOYCOTT OF BOSTON PRIDE FOR THE PEOPLE
We Encourage Organizations and Individuals to Instead Support and Show Up for the Pride Liberation Contingent on June 8th, 2024 

On June 4, 2024, Liberate Boston Pride, Act Up Boston, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Trans Resistance MA and Lucy Parsons Center collectively called out Boston Pride for the People (BP4TP or P4TP) for collaborating with the Israeli Consulate, participating in pinkwashing for the last year, accepting sponsorships from corporations like Delta Airlines, State Street, and Fidelity, and coordinating with police for the parade and festival. We amplify their message, shared in a letter on the Liberate Boston Pride website, liberatebostonpride.wordpress.com: 

“Over two years ago, an organization named Pride for the People (P4TP) revived the general pride parade from Boston Pride in June. It was named after its mission: to bring back pride for queer people, by queer people, in addition to ‘commemorating the Stonewall riots’ and to ‘Educate on the presence and impacts of oppression and advocate against oppression through disrupting and dismantling systems that cause harm to LGBTQ+ people.’ We are disappointed but unsurprised to learn that not only has P4TP not addressed its pinkwashing efforts from last year, but that it has not spoken out in support of a Free Palestine. In addition, it has continued to accept corporate sponsor money from unethical companies, including Delta Airlines, State Street, and Fidelity. It invites corporate ERGs instead of unions to march in the parade. And finally, it coordinates with cops, a longstanding enemy of queer people and their liberation. 

This ‘pride’ is not for the people.

We, as greater Boston queer community, demand better of the people that seemingly represent us, that wish to uplift their chosen community. But that chosen community must be all of the community, not corporations or cops. Despite several outreach efforts from the community, P4TP chose NOT to uplift queer and Palestinian liberation and prioritize Zionists, corporations, and cops. In the words of Stonewall uprising leader Marsha P. Johnson, there can be ‘No Pride for some of us without Liberation for all of us.’”

Oppression informs abuse, and in all cases of oppression, humanity, agency, and access to a full sense of self are denied. Communities are prevented from living, surviving, thriving, and simply being and when they fight back in self-defense to gain or regain agency they are condemned, fired upon, and locked up. The Network/La Red (TNLR) interrupts people, systems, and narratives that perpetuate the myth of mutual responsibility for systemic cycles of abuse. We are against the militarized oppression of our communities worldwide, and we support the safety, dignity, and self-determination of all survivors in our communities, including LGBTQ+ Palestinian survivors in occupied Palestine and the diaspora.  

For 35 years, TNLR has been committed to supporting survivors of partner abuse (domestic violence) and has utilized our anti-oppression framework to uplift the voices of survivors living at the intersections of the most marginalized identities in our society. This commitment is demonstrated in our participation in and sponsorship of various pride events, where many LGBTQ+ survivors are in attendance, seeking support around their experiences and their safety. This year, we sponsored 10 pride events, including Boston Pride for the People.  

We recognize now that our sponsorship of BP4TP existed in contradiction to our commitment to anti-oppression, and it is imperative that moving forward, we continue to uplift the movements created and led by our own community members to uproot the interconnection of oppressive systems in our local communities. We appreciate the 56 organizations listed on liberatebostonpride.wordpress.com demanding accountability to divest from Zionist, Pro-Israel and corporate sponsorship, and end collaboration with police, the Israeli consulate, and Zionist groups. There is no pride in genocide.  

This is what anti-oppression looks like in real time – this is what it looks like to identify, confront, and take action against all forms of oppression and to work in solidarity with other movements striving to end oppression and violence. This is what it looks like to hold ourselves and each other accountable to our anti-oppression principles. TNLR is committed to responding accordingly. We join the call for Boston Pride for the People to do the same. 

TNLR is supporting Liberate Boston Pride, Act Up Boston, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Trans Resistance MA and Lucy Parsons Center. Read their full letter at liberatebostonpride.wordpress.com and sign on by sending a direct message to @liberatebostonpride4ever on Instagram. We will be joining the Pride Liberation Contingent and encourage all other individuals and organizations to boycott BP4TP and join us at 11:30am on June 8th, at the intersection of Berkeley St & Boylston St.  

To learn more about Liberate Boston Pride, Act Up Boston, Jewish Voice for Peace Boston, Trans Resistance MA and Lucy Parsons Center, visit their websites and social media accounts: 

1. Liberate Boston Pride
   Website: liberatebostonpride.wordpress.com
   Instagram: @liberatebostonpride4ever
2. Act Up Boston
   Facebook & Instagram: @actupboston
3. Jewish Voice for Peace Boston
   Website: jvp-boston.org
   Instagram: @jvpboston
4. Trans Resistance MA
   Website: transresistancema.com
   Instagram: @transresistancema
5. Lucy Parsons Center
   Website: lucyparsonscenter.org
   Instagram: @lucyparsonscenter 

In recent weeks, we have seen many posts regarding abuse, sexual assault, racism, and misogyny by Po Couto, founder of Haus of Threes. We, the undersigned organizations, are horrified by these accounts and are in solidarity with those who have bravely shared their stories.  We commend their courage and strength in naming their experiences and their desire to warn others.

The phenomenon of one survivor naming abuse or assault followed by outpouring of similar stories by others abused and/or sexually assaulted by the same person is not unique – we have seen similar situations in mainstream communities as well as our own, whether the abusive person is a celebrity, clergy, health care provider, community activist, coach, etc. In addition to the devastating impact on each individual, this affects our communities as a whole. It is therefore our collective responsibility to address abusive behaviors and patterns wherever they occur.

Partner abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, and other abuses of power within LGBTQ+ communities have always been difficult to talk about.  Stereotypes that we are perverted, violent, dangerous to children, etc. have made it nearly impossible to acknowledge abuses when they do happen in our communities. Abusers know this, and feed on the silence that follows. For abuse to end, it is imperative that we make space for survivors to come forward, listen to their stories, and support them as they lead the way. Abuse happens in isolation; healing happens in community.

It is also crucial to learn about abuse/assaults, to understand the difference between abuse and self- defense, and to recognize patterns of control so that we do not inadvertently support abusers who claim that they themselves are the actual victim.

Addressing abuse and sexual assault within our communities is no easy task, but it is a necessary one. Together, we can create stronger and safer LGBTQ+ communities for everyone.

The Network/La Red
Transgender Emergency Fund

For Immediate Release 
October 18, 2022 
Contacts: The Network/La Red, Cristina Dones, oeodirector@tnlr.org, 617-695-0877
YWCA of Central MA, Tara Huard, thuard@ywcacm.org
Jane Doe Inc., Toni Troop, TTroop@janedoe.org, 617-212-7571 

Domestic Violence Programs Respond to Death of Ryan C. Anderson 

Boston, MA – About 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ people experience partner abuse in their lifetime, the same alarming rate as straight, cisgender people. The recent death of Ryan C. Anderson, 29 on October 1 in Millbury, MA, which appears to be a domestic violence related homicide involving an LGBTQ+ couple, has prompted The Network/La Red, the YWCA of Central MA, and Jane Doe Inc. to remind the public that services and support are available for LGBTQ+ communities. 

Ryan C. Anderson, 29, and his partner Kevin D. Donnellan, 34, lived together in Millbury, where Ryan was discovered on Saturday, October 1 by police after Kevin called 911. Kevin told the dispatcher he and Ryan got into a fight and Ryan’s body was downstairs. He said Ryan’s neck was slashed and Kevin tried to take his own life after the altercation. When police arrived, they found a text Ryan sent from his phone to someone saying he was afraid Kevin might kill him. Kevin has been charged with assault to murder, assault and battery on a family or household member, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, all to which he has plead not guilty. 

“We are saddened by this tragedy and offer our condolences to Ryan C. Anderson’s loved ones,” said Beth Leventhal, Executive Director of The Network/La Red, a survivor-led organization working to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities. “This highlights the importance of providing accessible survivor-led resources and services for LGBTQ+ survivors to let them know we support them and their safety.”  

Partner abuse, or domestic violence, is about one person using a pattern of behaviors to maintain power and control over another. The tactics used to abuse are identical to the tactics used to oppress and include physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, and cultural/identity abuse. Domestic violence advocates continue to stress the need for more education around the history of abuse and its connection to oppression in community, in healthcare, in the courtroom, and in service and advocacy organizations to better support survivors.  

“We need more education and understanding about LGBTQ+ partner abuse in the courtroom and everywhere survivors seek support, including domestic and sexual violence organizations, mental and physical healthcare systems, and beyond” said Cristina Dones, Director of Outreach, Organizing, and Education at The Network/La Red. “It would allow us to hold abusers accountable, which makes all the difference in validating survivors’ experiences of abuse and fostering safety and justice for them.”  

Understanding who is the survivor and who is the abuser is imperative at determining whether a homicide was an act of domestic violence or a final act of self-defense. As the statewide coalition against sexual assault and domestic violence, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) documents the occurrence of intimate partner violence related homicides in Massachusetts. Since January 1, 2022, JDI has identified 15 intimate partner violence related homicides incidents that have resulted in the death of 11 women and 2 men domestic violence victims and two men who were associated with a domestic violence victim. 

If you are concerned about your relationship or the relationship of a friend or family member, call The Network/La Red’s free and confidential hotline at 800-832-1901 or visit tnlr.org. The YWCA of Central MA provides domestic violence services and can be reached 24/7 via live chat at www.ywcahelp.com or via hotline at 508-755-9030.