Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or First Nations LGBTIQ people, sistergirls, and brotherboys may experience exclusion or discrimination in their community, friendship or family networks when they disclose their gender diversity, sexuality or intersex status. Conversely, others find their families and communities are a strong source of support.

First Nations people may face difficulties finding services that understand their needs and this may be more challenging when they are also LGBTIQ. First Nations people have a right to services that understand their needs whether they are specialist or mainstream. LGBTIQ First Nations people’s experiences of family violence exist within the context of their communities’ high representation in family violence statistics.

Over the last 10 years in Victoria, four percent of all reports by affected family members of family violence were made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Royal Commission found that these numbers are at least partially reflective of the trauma experienced by First Nation communities due to dispossession. There is a current research gap with regards to family violence among LGBTIQ First Nations people. Current literature suggests many may have had experiences of and/or witnessed family or intimate partner violence during childhood prior to entering intimate partner relationships.