Identity-Affirming Service: Joey Carrillo’s Work Aiding LGBTQ+ Survivors of Domestic Violence

2021 Fellow Joey Carrillo spoke with Equal Justice Works about his work, which provides identity-affirming legal services, outreach, and education for low-income LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence. Joey is sponsored by Discover Financial Services and Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

 While most domestic violence services are designed to serve cisgender women in heterosexual relationships, research suggests that the LGBTQ+ community experiences domestic violence at a higher rate.

At Legal Aid Chicago, Joey worked with the LGBT Anti-Violence and Safety Project (LASP) to provide civil legal services to LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking.

Last year, Joey sat down with Equal Justice Works to discuss his work, LASP, and the need for more legal advocates who understand the LGBTQ+ community. You can watch our discussion in the video below:

“Domestic Violence in relationships goes back to this differentiation of power,” said Joey Carrillo. “Someone’s identity as LGBTQ is another one of those factors that can breed relationship imbalance. Especially if you are somebody who is closeted about your gender identity or about your sexual orientation.”

Joey identified the need for a training program which would equip lawyers with the skills and knowledge they need to be culturally responsive advocates for LGBTQ+ clients. He aims to help lawyers create a safe space where LGBTQ+ clients can trust their advocate to understand their experiences and their identity.

Click here for a full list of Equal Justice Works Fellows who are advocating for LGBTQ+ rights across the country.