There are many levels to internalized and externalized homophobia, and in order to understand same-sex sexual assault, it is important to first make a commitment to acknowledge and challenge homophobia. It is also important to recognize that individuals within the LGBT community are targeted for sexual assault due to perceived gender expression.
Sexual violence is used as a form of social control to maintain heterosexism.
Same-sex sexual assault has not received much attention from researchers, support services, or the criminal justice system. This lack of attention to same-sex rape has left many survivors without culturally competent support and, therefore, with few resources for healing. Same-sex sexual assault may include forced vaginal or anal penetration, forced oral sex, forced touching, or any other type of forced sexual activity. Same-sex sexual assault can happen on a date, between friends, partners, or strangers. Having to explain how it happened in more detail than one would ask a survivor of opposite-sex assault.