Pride and Prejudice: Honoring LGBTQ+ Survivors
Then and Now
By: No More
Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of love, community, and resilience. It is also a time of reflection. In 1969, the Stonewall Riots became a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. Led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera–women who had themselves survived horrific sexual abuse in youth–the movement challenged a world that had criminalized their identities and denied them safety and dignity. More than 50 years later, we’ve seen meaningful progress. But there’s still critical work to be done.
Too often, conversations around violence and abuse overlook the LGBTQ+ community. And yet, the rates of violence they experience are staggering:
LGBTQ+ people are nearly four times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ individuals to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault.
Recognizing this reality, Pride is not only a celebration, but also a call to action, especially for those of us involved in the movement to end domestic and sexual violence. While we celebrate, we also recommit ourselves to uplifting and protecting LGBTQ+ people and ensuring that our movement reaches everyone, especially those most often overlooked.
We hope you’ll join us this month and beyond in honoring the courage of those who speak up in the face of violence and erasure; in advocating for inclusive, affirming support services for all survivors; and working towards a future that does right by those most vulnerable to abuse. Because until everyone is safe, our work is not done.
Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of love, community, and resilience. It is also a time of reflection. In 1969, the Stonewall Riots became a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. Led by trans women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera–women who had themselves survived horrific sexual abuse in youth–the movement challenged a world that had criminalized their identities and denied them safety and dignity. More than 50 years later, we’ve seen meaningful progress. But there’s still critical work to be done.
Too often, conversations around violence and abuse overlook the LGBTQ+ community. And yet, the rates of violence they experience are staggering:
LGBTQ+ people are nearly four times more likely than non-LGBTQ+ individuals to experience violent victimization, including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated or simple assault.
- Nearly half of transgender and nonbinary adults have experienced sexual assault in their lifetimes.
- Two in five LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic abuse report receiving no support from family or friends; three in five say they receive no professional help at all.
Recognizing this reality, Pride is not only a celebration, but also a call to action, especially for those of us involved in the movement to end domestic and sexual violence. While we celebrate, we also recommit ourselves to uplifting and protecting LGBTQ+ people and ensuring that our movement reaches everyone, especially those most often overlooked.
We hope you’ll join us this month and beyond in honoring the courage of those who speak up in the face of violence and erasure; in advocating for inclusive, affirming support services for all survivors; and working towards a future that does right by those most vulnerable to abuse. Because until everyone is safe, our work is not done.
AG Nessel Highlights Initiatives, Resources for Survivors During Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April 10, 2026
LANSING – In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing resources and initiatives of the Department of Attorney General to help victims of sexual assault receive justice and closure. The Attorney General has prioritized victims and expanded efforts to ensure survivors receive support through clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits, investigating clergy abuse, and extraditing fugitives with active sexual assault warrants back to Michigan. The Department has also accepted 34 additional criminal sexual assault cases for prosecution from counties across the state.
“Sexual assault survivors have long felt forgotten by the very legal system meant to protect them,” said Attorney General Nessel. “As Attorney General, I have prioritized a victim-centered approach and ensured it is at the heart of everything we do. From tracking down fugitives trying to outrun accountability to documenting the stories of clergy abuse survivors, our focus has been and will always be pursuing justice and supporting victims. We will continue to amplify their voices and foster an environment where they feel heard and believed.”
In 2024, Attorney General Nessel launched Operation Survivor Justice. The initiative, a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service, works to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants. To date, Operation Survivor Justice has reviewed 109 cases and adopted 20 cases for full prosecution and extradition across Hillsdale, Osceola, Wayne, Wexford, Oceana, Branch, Dickinson, and Chippewa counties. Of the 20 cases adopted for prosecution, 15 have resulted in pleas, including 14 that led to prison sentences. The Operation has extradited more than 75 fugitives.
To investigate and prosecute sexual assaults related to previously untested sexual assault evidence kits, the State’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) was established in 2016. The SAKI project provides sexual assault victims with the opportunity to have their cases re-investigated in a comprehensive, trauma-informed manner. The Department of Attorney General currently oversees the administration of Special Assistant Attorneys General and projects arising from the previously untested sexual assault kits in Kalamazoo, Ingham and Washtenaw counties. The Department previously assisted with cases in Jackson and Wayne counties. Throughout all the counties, there have been more than 600 cases, resulting in 55 convictions, with 42 active investigations currently underway.
The Department of Attorney General has also released detailed reports concerning allegations of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct that took place in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Diocese of Marquette, the Diocese of Gaylord, the Diocese of Kalamazoo, and the Diocese of Lansing. Reports regarding the Diocese of Saginaw and the Archdiocese of Detroit are expected to be released later this year. To date, the Department has:
The Attorney General also recently launched a Crime Victim Rights webpage to educate crime victims about their rights and guide them through the legal process after a crime is reported. The webpage includes:
LANSING – In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing resources and initiatives of the Department of Attorney General to help victims of sexual assault receive justice and closure. The Attorney General has prioritized victims and expanded efforts to ensure survivors receive support through clearing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits, investigating clergy abuse, and extraditing fugitives with active sexual assault warrants back to Michigan. The Department has also accepted 34 additional criminal sexual assault cases for prosecution from counties across the state.
“Sexual assault survivors have long felt forgotten by the very legal system meant to protect them,” said Attorney General Nessel. “As Attorney General, I have prioritized a victim-centered approach and ensured it is at the heart of everything we do. From tracking down fugitives trying to outrun accountability to documenting the stories of clergy abuse survivors, our focus has been and will always be pursuing justice and supporting victims. We will continue to amplify their voices and foster an environment where they feel heard and believed.”
In 2024, Attorney General Nessel launched Operation Survivor Justice. The initiative, a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local County Prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service, works to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants. To date, Operation Survivor Justice has reviewed 109 cases and adopted 20 cases for full prosecution and extradition across Hillsdale, Osceola, Wayne, Wexford, Oceana, Branch, Dickinson, and Chippewa counties. Of the 20 cases adopted for prosecution, 15 have resulted in pleas, including 14 that led to prison sentences. The Operation has extradited more than 75 fugitives.
To investigate and prosecute sexual assaults related to previously untested sexual assault evidence kits, the State’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) was established in 2016. The SAKI project provides sexual assault victims with the opportunity to have their cases re-investigated in a comprehensive, trauma-informed manner. The Department of Attorney General currently oversees the administration of Special Assistant Attorneys General and projects arising from the previously untested sexual assault kits in Kalamazoo, Ingham and Washtenaw counties. The Department previously assisted with cases in Jackson and Wayne counties. Throughout all the counties, there have been more than 600 cases, resulting in 55 convictions, with 42 active investigations currently underway.
The Department of Attorney General has also released detailed reports concerning allegations of sexual abuse and other sexual misconduct that took place in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, the Diocese of Marquette, the Diocese of Gaylord, the Diocese of Kalamazoo, and the Diocese of Lansing. Reports regarding the Diocese of Saginaw and the Archdiocese of Detroit are expected to be released later this year. To date, the Department has:
- Completed the paper document review of more than 1.5 million documents;
- Completed the electronic document review of more than 3.5 million documents;
- Hired and trained a full-time victim advocate to support the hundreds of victims identified during the investigation;
- Continued to refer the completed criminal investigations back to the respective dioceses;
- Followed up with victims who have not been interviewed by a trauma-informed interviewer; and
- Issued criminal charges in 11 cases throughout the entire state and secured convictions in nine cases, delivering justice for 38 survivors.
The Attorney General also recently launched a Crime Victim Rights webpage to educate crime victims about their rights and guide them through the legal process after a crime is reported. The webpage includes:
- A list of victims’ rights;
- Statewide victim support services and resources within the Department of Attorney General;
- Information on crime victim compensation;
- Guidance on victim advocate services; and
- An overview of the legal process for felony and misdemeanor cases.
- Sexual assault survivors seeking resources and information are encouraged to visit the Department of Attorney General’s website.
FBI Releases Domestic Violence Special Report
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program released the “Domestic Relationships and Violent Crimes, 2020-2024” special report on the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer (CDE).
This report focuses on violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault where the victim-to-offender relationship meets the UCR Program’s domestic and family violence definition. The crimes were reported to the FBI’s UCR Program by participating law enforcement agencies via the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Over the five-year period studied, the percentage of violent crimes within domestic relationships increased. Law enforcement reported that more than 11,000 domestic violence murder victims and an additional 1.1 million victims of domestic violence. Nearly 75 percent of the victims were female.
In addition to the domestic violence special report, the UCR Program also released an analysis of teen relationship violence in 2024. The reported data show there were more than 70,500 incidents of teen relationship violence in one year. Find more on the victims, relationships, and offenses on the CDE, click here.
One of the main goals of the FBI’s UCR Program is to provide reliable data to be used in law enforcement administration, operation, and management. When agencies report detailed data to the FBI, this data can be analyzed by law enforcement and the greater criminal justice community to form strategies to reduce and impede similar offenses in the future. To access the full report, click here
This report focuses on violent crimes of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault where the victim-to-offender relationship meets the UCR Program’s domestic and family violence definition. The crimes were reported to the FBI’s UCR Program by participating law enforcement agencies via the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Over the five-year period studied, the percentage of violent crimes within domestic relationships increased. Law enforcement reported that more than 11,000 domestic violence murder victims and an additional 1.1 million victims of domestic violence. Nearly 75 percent of the victims were female.
In addition to the domestic violence special report, the UCR Program also released an analysis of teen relationship violence in 2024. The reported data show there were more than 70,500 incidents of teen relationship violence in one year. Find more on the victims, relationships, and offenses on the CDE, click here.
One of the main goals of the FBI’s UCR Program is to provide reliable data to be used in law enforcement administration, operation, and management. When agencies report detailed data to the FBI, this data can be analyzed by law enforcement and the greater criminal justice community to form strategies to reduce and impede similar offenses in the future. To access the full report, click here
November Is Native American Heritage Month!
Native American Heritage Month highlights history and future of indigenous advocacy
November 12, 2025
By Andy Taylor
Each November, the United States observes Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples. More than a symbolic gesture, this month offers a vital opportunity to recognize the resilience, sovereignty, and living traditions of native communities across the country.
First federally recognized in 1990, after decades of advocacy by Indigenous leaders, Native American Heritage Month serves as a national reminder of the deep-rooted presence of native people and the importance of honoring their stories, languages, and lifeways.
One powerful way to dive into the history of the Siletz tribe is by requesting a copy of The People Are Dancing Again, a book written by the late Charles Wilkinson, a Native American advocate. This book offers a deeply personal and historical narrative of the tribe’s journey through displacement, termination, and the hard fought restoration by highlighting the strength and resilience of the Siletz people. The People Are Dancing Again is more than a tale of events, it is a celebration of cultural survival and sovereignty.
Reading this beautiful novel and building a connection with this story, not only honors the past but also deepens our understanding of the ongoing struggles and triumphs that natives have endured through history, making it an essential resource for anyone committed to meaningful recognition and advocacy.
November is not just about visibility, it’s about affirmation. It’s a time to reclaim historical narratives and educate others about the ongoing impacts of colonization, land dispossession, and cultural censorship. It also provides a platform for Indigenous voices to be heard in spaces where they have historically been marginalized.
With over 574 federally recognized tribes in America today, and many others still fighting for federal recognition, the month highlights the complexity of truly recognizing and seeing Indigenous cultures. From language revitalization efforts to traditional ecological knowledge, native communities continue to shape the cultural and environmental landscape of the United States.
Native American Heritage Month has helped increase visibility of tribal issues in schools, media, and public institutions. It has encouraged museums, libraries, as well as universities to host events and discussions that center around native voices. These organizations are contributing the long-term goals of keeping native voices heard. A growing number of federal, state and local leaders are adopting land acknowledgments and building a meaningful partnership with tribal nations.
However, the true impact of the month depends on how deeply individuals and institutions commit to learning, listening, and acting. Recognition must go beyond the initial symbolism and hype of the month. It requires sustained engagement and respect. There are many meaningful ways individuals and organizations can honor Indigenous people, not just in the month of November.
Advocating for native communities begins with education and awareness. Understanding the history of colonization, tribal sovereignty, and the unique challenges Indigenous people face today is essential to meaningful support.
This includes learning about the specific tribes whose lands you live on, recognizing their contributions, and acknowledging the ongoing impacts of displacement. A leading example is a land acknowledgment. When done respectfully and with context, land acknowledgments are a powerful way to honor Indigenous presence and history. Attending cultural events such as pow-wow’s and workshops hosted by native communities can also foster deeper connections and appreciation for Indigenous traditions and perspectives.
Beyond education, advocacy means taking action. Supporting native-owned businesses and artists helps strengthen tribal economies and preserve cultural expression. Amplifying Indigenous voices in a respectful and professional light, using social media platforms and community forums, ensures that Native perspectives are heard and valued. Individuals can also engage in policy advocacy by supporting legislation that protects tribal sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and provides equal access to healthcare and education. Acting as an ally involves building long-term relationships with native communities in your area, listening with humility, and committing to fostering a welcoming and safe space for growth.
While November provides a powerful spotlight in a poorly lit room, Tribal Members live, lead, and thrive every day of the year. To truly honor native communities, we must continue the conversation and commitment beyond a single month. This includes:
Integrating Indigenous perspectives into education year-round
Native American Heritage Month is a starting point, not a conclusion. By embracing Indigenous knowledge, respecting tribal sovereignty, and advocating for justice, we can help build a future rooted in truth, equity, and mutual respect.
November 12, 2025
By Andy Taylor
Each November, the United States observes Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples. More than a symbolic gesture, this month offers a vital opportunity to recognize the resilience, sovereignty, and living traditions of native communities across the country.
First federally recognized in 1990, after decades of advocacy by Indigenous leaders, Native American Heritage Month serves as a national reminder of the deep-rooted presence of native people and the importance of honoring their stories, languages, and lifeways.
One powerful way to dive into the history of the Siletz tribe is by requesting a copy of The People Are Dancing Again, a book written by the late Charles Wilkinson, a Native American advocate. This book offers a deeply personal and historical narrative of the tribe’s journey through displacement, termination, and the hard fought restoration by highlighting the strength and resilience of the Siletz people. The People Are Dancing Again is more than a tale of events, it is a celebration of cultural survival and sovereignty.
Reading this beautiful novel and building a connection with this story, not only honors the past but also deepens our understanding of the ongoing struggles and triumphs that natives have endured through history, making it an essential resource for anyone committed to meaningful recognition and advocacy.
November is not just about visibility, it’s about affirmation. It’s a time to reclaim historical narratives and educate others about the ongoing impacts of colonization, land dispossession, and cultural censorship. It also provides a platform for Indigenous voices to be heard in spaces where they have historically been marginalized.
With over 574 federally recognized tribes in America today, and many others still fighting for federal recognition, the month highlights the complexity of truly recognizing and seeing Indigenous cultures. From language revitalization efforts to traditional ecological knowledge, native communities continue to shape the cultural and environmental landscape of the United States.
Native American Heritage Month has helped increase visibility of tribal issues in schools, media, and public institutions. It has encouraged museums, libraries, as well as universities to host events and discussions that center around native voices. These organizations are contributing the long-term goals of keeping native voices heard. A growing number of federal, state and local leaders are adopting land acknowledgments and building a meaningful partnership with tribal nations.
However, the true impact of the month depends on how deeply individuals and institutions commit to learning, listening, and acting. Recognition must go beyond the initial symbolism and hype of the month. It requires sustained engagement and respect. There are many meaningful ways individuals and organizations can honor Indigenous people, not just in the month of November.
Advocating for native communities begins with education and awareness. Understanding the history of colonization, tribal sovereignty, and the unique challenges Indigenous people face today is essential to meaningful support.
This includes learning about the specific tribes whose lands you live on, recognizing their contributions, and acknowledging the ongoing impacts of displacement. A leading example is a land acknowledgment. When done respectfully and with context, land acknowledgments are a powerful way to honor Indigenous presence and history. Attending cultural events such as pow-wow’s and workshops hosted by native communities can also foster deeper connections and appreciation for Indigenous traditions and perspectives.
Beyond education, advocacy means taking action. Supporting native-owned businesses and artists helps strengthen tribal economies and preserve cultural expression. Amplifying Indigenous voices in a respectful and professional light, using social media platforms and community forums, ensures that Native perspectives are heard and valued. Individuals can also engage in policy advocacy by supporting legislation that protects tribal sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and provides equal access to healthcare and education. Acting as an ally involves building long-term relationships with native communities in your area, listening with humility, and committing to fostering a welcoming and safe space for growth.
While November provides a powerful spotlight in a poorly lit room, Tribal Members live, lead, and thrive every day of the year. To truly honor native communities, we must continue the conversation and commitment beyond a single month. This includes:
Integrating Indigenous perspectives into education year-round
- Building long-term relationships with local tribes
- Including Native voices in decision-making processes
- Supporting Indigenous-led initiatives and movements
Native American Heritage Month is a starting point, not a conclusion. By embracing Indigenous knowledge, respecting tribal sovereignty, and advocating for justice, we can help build a future rooted in truth, equity, and mutual respect.
November Is Homeless Awareness Month!
Domestic violence is often a contributor or cause of homelessness. Escaping abusive situations means leaving the residence where the abuse is occurring and sometimes victims are unable to find shelter through friends, family or available community resources. Understanding the challenges of being homeless, and the statistics about homelessness and domestic violence, may help encourage victims to plan how they leave, when they leave, what circumstances they leave under and where they go.
Approximately 50% of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. Source: “Pressing Issues Facing Families Who Are Homeless.” The National Center on Family Homelessness. (2013).
Domestic violence creates vulnerability to homelessness for women and children with limited economic resources. Among mothers with children experiencing homelessness, more than 80% had previously experienced domestic violence.
Approximately 50% of all women who are homeless report that domestic violence was the immediate cause of their homelessness. Source: “Pressing Issues Facing Families Who Are Homeless.” The National Center on Family Homelessness. (2013).
Domestic violence creates vulnerability to homelessness for women and children with limited economic resources. Among mothers with children experiencing homelessness, more than 80% had previously experienced domestic violence.
Michigan Address Confidentiality Program
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation
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