Helpline:
800-800-0350
800-800-0350
About Our Anti-Violence Program
OutFront Minnesota's Anti-Violence Program (AVP) is a broad-based effort to end violence and harassment against and within LGBTQ+ communities in Minnesota. We work in collaboration with survivors and community members to build safety and power - as well as opportunities for support and healing - through the provision of crisis intervention services, systems advocacy, counseling, community education, and outreach. We believe that everyone deserves to be safe from harm regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression. From the individual to the community to the state, we believe eliminating violence and harassment requires social change at every level.
Our Staff and Volunteers:
- Work to prevent violence and harassment from occurring against our community members through awareness, education, and increased visibility
- Collaborate with survivors in finding their own paths to healing and empowerment through safe and effective support services
- Partner with other organizations to create a strong network of well-trained and inclusive service providers throughout Minnesota.
The AVP Health Shelf
The Health Shelf is filled with hygiene products, a small food pantry, clothing, safe sex supplies, cold weather gear, and gender affirming products! This shelf is open to all LGBTQ+ community members who have experienced violence.
The Health Shelf can be accessed by appointment only. Please contact the AVP crisis line to arrange.
The number to call is 612-822-0127 option 3 or 800-800-0350.
For donations or questions, contact Ashley Harp at aharp@outfront.org. The Health Shelf is located at the OutFront office in the Sabathani Community Center.
Help is Available
If you would like to speak with a trained LGBTQ Anti-Violence Program advocate at OutFront Minnesota, who can connect you to resources or talk through options regarding your current situation, please call us at 612.822.0127 option 3.
The helpline is answered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you don't get through, a call will be returned to you within 24 hours (with varying responses on the weekends). If you are in a crisis and need an immediate response, please contact the following:
- For calls regarding domestic/intimate partner violence (more shelter) — Day One | 1.866.223.1111
- For calls regarding sexual violence — Sexual Violence Center | 612.871.5111
- For calls regarding Transgender support — Trans Lifeline | 877.565.8860
- For callers who identify as LGBTQ youth — The Trevor Project | 1.866.488.7386
- For all other calls regarding general support/mental health support — NAMI | 800.950.6264
Support & Counseling Directory
Bringing Same-Sex Domestic & Partner Violence to Light
OutFront Minnesota is proud to have been at the forefront of same-sex domestic abuse intervention for years. We are truly one of the national leaders in bringing this issue to light. We offer direct services to victims of domestic violence and offer trainings concerning same-sex domestic abuse to domestic violence service providers.
At Equal Risk
Statistically, gay and lesbian people experience domestic abuse at about the same rate as the rest of society. Abuse can take many physical and psychological forms and tends to thoroughly demoralize the victim. If you are being abused by a partner, there is help!
How Our Staff Can Help
OutFront Minnesota has trained domestic abuse staff who can help you file for protective orders, provide supportive counseling regarding your situation, referrals to domestic violence shelters and other safe places in the community. We also provide safety planning and short-term crisis counseling for both domestic violence victims and their concerned families or loved ones. OutFront Minnesota provides victim-related services and will provide referrals, but not direct services, for those seeking help with their own abusive behavior.
Help is Available
If you would like to speak with a trained LGBTQ Anti-Violence Program advocate at OutFront Minnesota, who can connect you to resources or talk through options regarding your current situation, please call us at 612.822.0127 option 3. A call will be returned to you within 24 hours (with varying responses on the weekends). If you are in a crisis and need an immediate response, please contact the following:
- For calls regarding domestic/intimate partner violence (more shelter) — Day One | 1.866.223.1111
- For calls regarding sexual violence — Sexual Violence Center | 612.871.5111
- For calls regarding Transgender support — Trans Lifeline | 877.565.8860
- For callers who identify as LGBTQ youth — The Trevor Project | 1.866.488.7386
- For all other calls regarding general support/mental health support — NAMI | 800.950.6264
Directory of Organizations That Provide Shelter
OutFront Minnesota's Anti-Violence Program has focused on sexual violence in all its forms for decades. If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual harassment or violence in the workplace or in any environment, contact us. We can help.
Help is Available
If you would like to speak with a trained LGBTQ Anti-Violence Program advocate at OutFront Minnesota, who can connect you to resources or talk through options regarding your current situation, please call us at 612.822.0127 option 3. A call will be returned to you within 24 hours (with varying responses on the weekends). If you are in a crisis and need an immediate response, please contact the following:
- For calls regarding domestic/intimate partner violence (more shelter) — Day One | 1.866.223.1111
- For calls regarding sexual violence — Sexual Violence Center | 612.871.5111
- For calls regarding Transgender support — Trans Lifeline | 877.565.8860
- For callers who identify as LGBTQ youth — The Trevor Project | 1.866.488.7386
- For all other calls regarding general support/mental health support — NAMI | 800.950.6264
Hate or Bias-Motivated Violence
An umbrella term for any act or expression directed against a person, group or their property that is motivated in whole or in part by a belief or perception regarding their real or perceived identities. Root causes include a rigid adherence to oppressive norms and ideologies that are propagated and reinforced by individuals, social systems and public institutions. Hate violence may be intended to threaten, coerce and/or punish all members (or perceived members) of a group.
3 main Components of Bias-Motivated Violence
- The perpetrator’s perception of the victim’s identity and their bias or prejudice against that identity
- The desire to target the victim based upon that perception
- The belief, at least in part, that the act is socially acceptable or sanctioned
Hate Crime
A criminal act that involves one (or more) of three specific crime groupings (assault, property damage and harassment/stalking), that is directed toward an individual or group that is (or perceived to be) a member of a protected class as defined by the Minnesota Human Rights Act and is motivated by a offender bias.
Bias Incident
A bias incident is any expression whether spoken, written, symbolic or other form, which is motivated by some form of prejudice based on the victim’s real or perceived identity (i.e. sexual orientation, race, gender identity, ability, etc.)
Often, when a particular marginalized group is experiencing increased community visibility (especially when publicly highlighting oppressive or inequitable situations or events), that group will experience an increase in bias-related violent incidents. Unfortunately, with an increase in potentially divisive conversations that challenge existing social power dynamics, these attacks can occur with more brutality or a sense of social acceptance on the part of the perpetrators.
OutFront Minnesota’s Anti-Violence Program is dedicated to eliminating hate violence, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence/domestic violence within and against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer-identified (LGBTQ) communities across Minnesota. We complete this work through free and confidential counseling, advocacy, community organizing and education services. We use a community based advocacy approach to empower survivors and communities to feel safer and stronger.
Help is Available
If you would like to speak with a trained LGBTQ Anti-Violence Program advocate at OutFront Minnesota, who can connect you to resources or talk through options regarding your current situation, please call us at 612.822.0127 option 3. A call will be returned to you within 24 hours (with varying responses on the weekends). If you are in a crisis and need an immediate response, please contact the following:
- For calls regarding domestic/intimate partner violence (more shelter) — Day One | 1.866.223.1111
- For calls regarding sexual violence — Sexual Violence Center | 612.871.5111
- For calls regarding Transgender support — Trans Lifeline | 877.565.8860
- For callers who identify as LGBTQ youth — The Trevor Project | 1.866.488.7386
- For all other calls regarding general support/mental health support — NAMI | 800.950.6264