Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, outing, homophobia, transphobia. Episode 36: Love is Love, but Abuse is Abuse What does a lesbian bring on a second date? We all know the punchline, and that's part of the problem. In this episode of Traumatically Speaking, Sloan and Lex kick off our Domestic Violence Awareness Month series with the part of the conversation that usually gets left out: abuse in queer relationships. We walk through how it often starts, from love bombing that blends right into the jokes we already tell about ourselves, to isolation inside small queer communities, to abusers using outing, homophobia, and transphobia as tools of control. We also dig into why it's so hard to recognize, and why survivors are so often dismissed when they speak up. Research shows that same-sex abuse is rated as less serious, that the cops are more likely to arrest both partners, and that credibility can depend on whether your relationship looks like the straight version of the story. As a domestic violence survivor herself, Sloan brings her own perspective to a conversation that hits close to home. With our signature dark humor, we make room for the myths, the stereotypes, and the uncomfortable truths, and for laughing where it feels right. Next episode, we take on the question every survivor gets asked: why do we stay? Resources: National Domestic Violence Hotline, 24/7: 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, thehotline.orgThe Network/La Red, 24-hour hotline for LGBTQ+ survivors of partner abuse (English and Spanish): 800-832-1901, tnlr.orgThe Trevor Project, for LGBTQ+ young people, 24/7: 1-866-488-7386, or text 678-678988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 L isten, follow, and subscribe to Traumatically Speaking:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@traumaticallyspeaking TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@traumaticallyspeaking Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traumaticallyspeaking All other links: https://beacons.ai/traumaticallyspeaking Dark Humor Is Always Included. Want a chance to have your story shared on the pod?Email us: traumaticallyspeaking@gmail.com Remember: write it like a story — bullet points don't flow — and send it as a .pdf if ya nasty. We support and encourage therapy. If you are looking for a licensed therapist visit:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists We are not here to heal you, just to keep you company between sessions. okay love you bye, Sloan & Lex