GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project’s 10th Annual Winter Plunge; Carson Beach, Feb 23rd, Sunday 12 noon
BOSTON – On Sunday, February 23rd a crowd of diverse individuals will face freezing temperatures and plunge into the icy cold waters of Boston Harbor for a great cause; to raise funds for the GLBTQ Domestic Violence Project (GLBTQ-DVP) and to raise awareness of the reality of domestic violence in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ) communities. The event starts at 11:30 with the plunge to occur at 12 noon at Carson Beach in South Boston .
Continuing with tradition, most plungers will dress in fun costumes, ranging from drag queens to penguins to Elvis Presley. According to Curt Rogers, Executive Director of GMDP, “We work with the very serious issue of domestic violence 365 days out of the year. When we raise funds, we like to have a little fun.” [pullquote]Research from the Center for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health show that people who identify as GLBTQ experience domestic violence at equal or greater rights than their heterosexual counterparts. [/pullquote]
Research from the Center for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health show that people who identify as GLBTQ experience domestic violence at equal or greater rights than their heterosexual counterparts. However, current services are inadequate to meet the needs of the community and there are only five GLBT-specific beds for victims in Massachusetts. To find the location, please click here. Logistics/directions contact (day of event): Alex Peterson 509-995-6949. (Please note area code is 509, not 508).
“This is a very real crisis for many in our community” says Adam Dailey, a Boston based chemist who has plunged for two years as Super-Speedo Boy. “It is not just a straight problem, it is our problem.” Rogers explains that the “The winter plunge is a great way for the community to support our work, with plungers raising funds similarly to a standard walk-athon. With the conclusion of this year’s event, the Winter Plunge will have raised over $90,000 for GLBTQ-DVP.”
About GLBTQ-DVP: The organization, founded in 1994, provides support and services to victims and survivors of domestic violence who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ). For individuals who are seeking services, the organization has a 24-hour hotline, an emergency safe home, crisis intervention, direct legal representation, sexual assault case management, and police and court accompaniment.
[From a News Release]
