Today the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was signed into law by President Biden. The bill becomes the first federal legislation to create a standalone grant program specific to the LGBTQ community. In response to the signing of VAWA, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Chief Impact Officer Terra Russell-Slavin issued the following statement:
“The Los Angeles LGBT Center celebrates the passage and signing into law of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. The legislation reauthorizes the law until 2027, includes enhancements to increase access to VAWA-funded programs, and improves VAWA’s responsiveness to the needs of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The bill also enshrines the strongest-ever provisions to benefit LGBTQ survivors.
“LGBTQ survivors of domestic and sexual violence deserve dignity and respect, especially when they are seeking critical services that can help them recover from violent situations, which can mean the difference between life and death. The reauthorization of VAWA, with the first ever standalone grant program for LGBTQ survivors, sends a much needed national message of support to LGBTQ survivors when our community is under attack in statehouses across the country. The Center is proud to have helped champion these efforts.
“We thank Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and their staff for their leadership. We also thank all of the survivors, advocates, and others who helped this bill reach the finish line. This is their victory!”
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