A new Washington, DC programme is connecting LGBTQIA survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence with free or low-cost counselling. Set up by the Wanda Alston Foundation and LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative, Show Me Love DC responds to a difficult overlap: violence can contribute to homelessness, while queer and trans survivors may encounter barriers when seeking help.
A new route to counselling for LGBTQIA survivors
Show Me Love DC offers free and low-cost counselling to LGBTQIA people who have survived domestic or intimate partner violence. The initiative brings together the Wanda Alston Foundation, which supports homeless and at-risk LGBTQIA young people, and the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative, a local therapy practice. (Washington City Paper; Wanda Alston Foundation) [citation source numbers not permitted in body , omit]
At its heart, the programme aims to make support easier to reach for people who can find mainstream services difficult to navigate. Therapy can help with recovery after trauma, coping skills and self-advocacy, says LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative founder SC Nealy, as well as helping people connect with other resources. (Washington City Paper; LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative)
Why violence and homelessness can overlap
For some survivors, leaving an unsafe home can also mean losing stable housing. The Wanda Alston Foundation sees this connection among young people seeking shelter and support, making access to counselling especially relevant to its work. (Washington City Paper; Wanda Alston Foundation)
The District's 2026 Point-in-Time Count reported that survivors of domestic violence made up 22 per cent of unaccompanied adults and 44 per cent of adults in families experiencing homelessness. It also counted 5,363 people experiencing homelessness, with 12 per cent of adults identifying as LGBTQIA. (Washington City Paper; DC Department of Human Services)
Why LGBTQIA survivors may face extra barriers
Intimate partner violence can affect people across the LGBTQIA community, but finding support isn't always straightforward. The Human Rights Campaign notes that LGBTQ people may encounter discrimination from therapists, shelters and other institutions, adding another hurdle at a moment when safety and understanding matter. (Human Rights Campaign)
That context helps explain why a partnership between an LGBTQIA youth support organisation and an all-queer counselling practice could be useful. A service designed with the community in mind may feel more approachable, though each person's needs and circumstances will differ. (Washington City Paper; Human Rights Campaign; LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative)
What to check before seeking help
If you're considering Show Me Love DC, start by contacting the Wanda Alston Foundation or the LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative to ask about eligibility, availability and the counselling options currently offered. The published programme description says services are free or low-cost for LGBTQIA survivors, but it doesn't set out all application details in the information provided here. (Wanda Alston Foundation; LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative)
It may also help to ask about cost, format, privacy and what happens after an initial enquiry. Those practical details can make a daunting first step feel more manageable, especially when someone is also dealing with housing or safety concerns. (Wanda Alston Foundation; LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative)
A small partnership with a meaningful aim
Show Me Love DC responds to two needs that can be closely linked: support after violence and access to stable, affirming care. Its partnership approach brings counselling into the wider network of services available to LGBTQIA survivors in the District. (Washington City Paper; Wanda Alston Foundation; LGBT+ Counseling Collaborative)
Programmes like this don't erase the barriers people face, but they can offer a clearer place to begin. For someone trying to rebuild a sense of safety, being met with understanding can matter enormously. (Washington City Paper; Human Rights Campaign)
For current eligibility and service details, contact the programme partners directly.
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