LGBTQ people are likely to be the only or the primary breadwinner in their household. Further, LGBTQ people have less access to the extended-family supports that can help bridge a troubled financial time or reduce the need to pay for certain kinds of assistance. Domestic violence agencies and anti-violence nonprofits may not be aware of how much they rely on spouses’ salaries and benefits, family wealth, or other supports to buttress their staff members’ economic stability. By underpaying workers, organizations undermine their ability to employ and retain staff members from diverse backgrounds.

Key words: domestic violence, intimate partner violence, LGBTQ survivors, economic empowerment