One of this past summer's blockbuster films "Wolverine" continued the comic book saga of mutants living among humans, metaphorically representing the "other" or "outsider." Interpretation of the first 3 previous films, characters struggle with society's intolerance, bigotry and xenophobia. In the first "X Men" movie, villain Magneto says, "There is no land of tolerance or land of peace....women, children, whole families destroyed simply because they were born different than those in power."

This same metaphor can be applied to today's young Gay Hispanic living in the inner-city whose fight for acceptance in the Latino community involves both entrenched prejudices as well as financial viability to make ends meet. Too often homosexuals are thought of only as affluent as in television shows like "Will and Grace" or "Sex in the City." No one in the hood is ever thought of as Gay. And poor Gay Latinos have the added struggle to contend with of deep rooted homophobia in the Latino community.

Gays are also thought not to experience domestic violence, which is not true.

According to Lamba.org, "Domestic violence in the GLBT community is a serious issue.  The rates of domestic violence in same-gender relationships is roughly the same as domestic violence against heterosexual women (25%).

"As in opposite-gendered couples, the problem is likely underreported.  Facing a system which is often oppressive and hostile towards queers, those involved in same-gender battering frequently report being afraid of revealing their sexual orientation or the nature of their relationship." http://www.lambda.org/DV_background.htm

Take for example, the 19-year-old Dominican woman, who asked not be identified for this story. She remembers kissing a girl when she was a child and came out to her parents when she was 16. D.G., lets call her, said that her father said he knew it but she lost half of her friends in high school. When she came out to her grandparents in Santo Domingo, they said she was living against the will of God.

D.G. graduated from high school last year and short after her father threw her out of his apartment, not because she's Gay but because she couldn't help with the bills. She's not intending on going to college any time soon and says her job at a Bronx fast food restaurant is her only stability. Now she lives with a friend since leaving her former lover's home where she had been staying.

In many ways, D. G. lives in a world of acceptance where she doesn't have to hide her identity. Her story, for the most part, sounds idyllic.

However, in mid-April, D.G. was walking home from work and was attacked by muggers who wanted to steal her cell phone. Her assailants cut her hand then ran off when they saw blood, she said. This is what she told her family, friends and co-workers. In fact, D.G. was attacked by her former lover after a violent jealous argument over the lover's previous girlfriend. D.G. threatened to leave and her girlfriend pulled out a kitchen knife slashing D.G's hand. She received 50 stitches at Jacobi Hospital.

"Domestic abuse is always about power and control," writes http://www.rainbowdomesticviolence.itgo.com on their website, "One partner intentionally gains more and more power over his/ her partner. Tactics can include physical, emotional or verbal abuse, isolation, threats, intimidation, minimizing, denying, blaming, coercion, financial abuse, or using children or pets to control your behavior."

Surprising, D.G. said that she enjoyed the drama of seeing her lover become violent at the thought of her leaving. She said she thought the attention was a sign of love. D.G. said that she like provoking her former lover so she could see her emotions erupt as a sign of affection.  D.G. said she loved the drama. Evidently, even in the Gay community, domestic violence is as prevalent as in the straight community. And D.G's idea of love can be as convoluted as in the straight community

Understanding the nature of domestic violence and how it can effect any relationship is always important as well as knowing one's rights.

"Although much advancement has been made in the provision of services," writes http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/gay.shtml on their website. "The enforcement of the law, and the equality of protections available to those in GLBT relationships over the last decade, it is important for you to be aware of your rights and options as they relate to your attempt to escape an abusive relationship."