The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) has ruled that a gay man has probable cause for a gender discrimination case against the R.O.S.E. Fund, which provides free facial reconstructive surgery to victims of domestic violence.
This is a pretty big deal, since straight and same-sex domestic violence share a lot of the same characteristics.
- One out of four to one out of three same-sex relationships have experienced domestic violence – one in four women in heterosexual relationships have experienced domestic violence.
- The patterns of abuse are similar, often including a cycle of physical, emotional, and psychological mistreatment, leaving the victim with feelings of isolation, fear and guilt.
- No race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status is exempt.