South Florida mayors weigh in on national domestic violence debate

Four Broward and Palm Beach County mayors from both political parties want the Republican-controlled U.S. House to end the partisan fighting over domestic violence legislation.

Local mayors involved are Susan Whelchel of Boca Raton, Marilyn Gerber of Coconut Creek, Mike Ryan of Sunrise and Lori Moseley of Miramar.

They?re among 60 U.S. mayors calling for the pending reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act to include nondiscrimination language that would cover gays and lesbians.

?Over the past two decades, these efforts have helped dramatically reduce the incidence and impact of violence against women, including an over 50 percent
decline in the annual rate of domestic violence,? the mayors wrote Tuesday to House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

?Despite considerable progress in addressing the epidemic of violence against women, we recognize that much more needs to be done and that this reauthorization presents an opportunity for the Congress to strengthen our national commitment to tackling the challenges that remain. Like the 2000 and 2005 reauthorizations, we believe that the bipartisan Senate reauthorization does just that by expanding services and assistance to those communities who experience the highest rates of violence or who have the greatest difficulty accessing services?

?By replacing and clarifying the current patchwork of protections, the nondiscrimination provision will help ensure that victims are not denied services on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. This measure is needed in part to address the significant obstacles that lesbian, gay, and transgendered communities have faced in accessing services in recent years.

?Despite the fact that they experience domestic violence at the same rate as the general population, 45 percent of lesbian, gay, and transgendered victims are reportedly turned away when they seek help from domestic violence shelters. This type of discrimination is simply unacceptable.?

My colleague Bill Gibson had a detailed report about the legislation in Tuesday?s newspaper.

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