On the night of the Academy Awards singer Chris Brown was arrested and charged with beating the crap out of his girl friend, the singer Rihanna.
This brought the act of partner abuse to the headlines in both the popular sphere and to the blogosphere.
It is news when big stars do it. Yet all around the world men abuse and kill their girl friends and wives. One study of domestic violence says that 2 out of 3 women have been physically abused at the hands of a family member or person they are acquainted with.
When it happens to one of us we are less likely to go to the police since we are aware of the bad record of negative police interactions with WBTs or for that matter lesbian or gay people.
If the abuser is a man and he knows our history he can use it against us since our history has often been considered grounds for murder.
If we are in a lesbian relationship and our abuser is a WBW we had better be cut and bleeding needing hospitalization with our partner being relatively unscathed other wise we will not be considered the victim but rather the aggressor. Especially if our history is known. It is used against us.
With shit like this is it any coincidence that many of us wind up living alone in isolation?
I don’t have any answers. Even Dear Abby whose column in today’s news papers (see below) doesn’t give real answers but she sure as hell gives the warning signs.
I told y’all this wasn’t going to be the typical trannie blog. I’m sure that this entry is only the first time we will visit this subject.
WOMAN STARTS TO QUESTION BOYFRIEND’S PROTECTIVENESS
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend, “Josh,” won’t leave me alone. We have been living together for almost a year, and he is the ultimate overprotector. When I start to leave the house to run errands or anything, he stops me and asks, “Where do you think you’re going?” When I tell him, he will then follow me to the location.
I love Josh and would never want to hurt his feelings, but I think he’s a little too worried about me. I’m an adult, and I can take care of myself. Is Josh being too overprotective, or am I just crazy? — OVERPROTECTED IN OREGON
DEAR OVERPROTECTED: You’re not crazy. Josh’s behavior is over the top and is less about your safety than his own insecurity and lack of trust. Every year or so, I print the warning signs of an abuser. Please review them carefully. If any of the signs in addition to No. 3 apply to you, you should end the relationship immediately. Read on:
1. PUSHES FOR QUICK INVOLVEMENT: Comes on strong, claiming, “I’ve never felt loved like this by anyone.” An abuser pressures the new partner for an exclusive commitment almost immediately.
2. JEALOUS: Excessively possessive; calls constantly or visits unexpectedly; prevents you from going to work because “you might meet someone”; checks the mileage on your car.
3. CONTROLLING: Interrogates you intensely (especially if you’re late) about whom you talked to and where you were; keeps all the money; insists you ask permission to go anywhere or do anything.
4. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS: Expects you to be the perfect mate and meet his or her every need.
5. ISOLATION: Tries to cut you off from family and friends; accuses people who are your supporters of “causing trouble.” The abuser may deprive you of a phone or car or try to prevent you from holding a job.
6. BLAMES OTHERS FOR PROBLEMS AND MISTAKES: It’s always someone else’s fault if something goes wrong.
7. MAKES OTHERS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OR HER FEELINGS: The abuser says, “You make me angry,” instead of, “I am angry,” or says, “You’re hurting me by not doing what I tell you.”
8. HYPERSENSITIVITY: Is easily insulted, claiming hurt feelings when he or she is really mad. Rants about the injustice of things that are just a part of life.
9. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS OR CHILDREN: Kills or punishes animals brutally. Also may expect children to do things that are far beyond their ability (whips a 3-year-old for wetting a diaper) or may tease them until they cry. Sixty-five percent of abusers who beat their partner will also abuse children.
10. “PLAYFUL” USE OF FORCE DURING SEX: Enjoys throwing you down or holding you down against your will during sex; finds the idea of rape exciting.
11. VERBAL ABUSE: Constantly criticizes or says blatantly cruel things; degrades, curses, calls you ugly names. This may also involve sleep deprivation, waking you up with relentless verbal abuse.
12. RIGID GENDER ROLES: Expects you to serve, obey, remain at home.
13. SUDDEN MOOD SWINGS: Switches from sweet to violent in a matter of minutes.
Women Born Transsexual 