Inclusive Support Saves Lives

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate identity, resilience, community, and the freedom to live openly and safely. It is also a time to speak honestly about the barriers many LGBTQ+ survivors still face when they reach out for help after abuse. National surveys, including the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, continue to show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people experience higher rates of some forms of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence than their heterosexual peers. LGBTQ+ young people also report high levels of sexual violence and identity-based victimization.

For communities like Rutland County, inclusive survivor support is essential. NewStory Center’s mission is to end the cycle of violence through support, education, prevention, and collaboration, and that mission includes serving survivors of all genders and ages. During Pride Month, that message matters deeply. You deserve to be seen, believed, and supported exactly as you are. NewStory Center will also be part of this year’s Rutland County Pride Festival on June 20, 2026, helping connect community members with resources and support. If you or someone you know needs help now, the 24-hour crisis line is (802) 775-3232.

One of the biggest challenges for LGBTQ+ survivors is that abuse can target identity as well as safety. A survivor may be threatened with outing, misgendered on purpose, isolated from affirming friends or family, or made to feel that help will not be welcoming to them. NewStory Center has acknowledged that LGBTQ+ survivors often face added barriers such as fear of discrimination and a lack of affirming housing or health care resources. These concerns can make reaching out feel more complicated, even when support is urgently needed.

In smaller or more rural communities, that pressure can feel even heavier. The Trevor Project has found that LGBTQ+ young people in rural areas are about half as likely as their non-rural peers to say their communities are supportive of LGBTQ+ people. That gap helps explain why identity-affirming local support can be so important.

Another reality is that not every survivor sees their experience reflected in common conversations about abuse. Some LGBTQ+ survivors worry they will not be believed because their relationships do not fit familiar narratives. Others may fear being judged, blamed, or asked to educate the very systems they turn to for help. That is why affirming responses matter from the very first conversation. Guidance from The Trevor Project emphasizes listening without judgment, respecting autonomy, being patient, and helping connect survivors with resources that feel safe and affirming. A survivor should not have to choose between getting help and protecting their identity.

Inclusive support starts with everyday actions that communicate safety. This includes using the name and pronouns a person asks you to use, avoiding assumptions about someone’s relationships or experiences, and recognizing that abuse can happen in any relationship. In 2017, the organization changed its name to NewStory Center to reflect its evolving understanding of domestic and sexual violence and its commitment to serve all survivors, regardless of gender or age. Today, its work remains grounded in survivor-centered, compassionate care that prioritizes safety and empowerment.

That commitment is reflected in the services available in Rutland County. NewStory Center provides confidential support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking, including crisis intervention and counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, medical advocacy, and other trauma-informed services. These services are designed to meet people where they are, whether they need immediate help, guidance, or long-term support.

Pride Month also offers an opportunity to turn support into action. At this year’s Rutland County Pride Festival on June 20, 2026, NewStory Center’s presence helps make survivor resources more visible in a welcoming, community-centered space. For someone who is not ready to make a phone call, simply seeing that support exists without judgment can be a meaningful first step.

For allies, support can be simple and impactful. Showing up to Pride, amplifying LGBTQ+ voices, sharing resources, and responding with care when someone opens up all contribute to a stronger community. Supporting organizations like NewStory Center through volunteering or donations also helps ensure that inclusive services remain available.

Pride Month is both a celebration and a call to solidarity. LGBTQ+ survivors deserve services that affirm identity, respect choice, and support healing. NewStory Center’s work reflects that commitment every day across Rutland County. This June, visit NewStory Center at Pride Fest, share our resources, and support our mission through volunteering or donating. If you or someone you love needs support right now, call the 24-hour crisis line at (802)-775-3232.