Despite receiving attention from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community organizations (e.g., Anti-Violence Project), few studies have examined histories of intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minorities. Studies have focused primarily on other forms of violence experienced by LGBT people, such as bias-motivated violence and bullying in schools. 

In this study, authors assessed prevalence and predictors of IPV using a probability sample of California residents ages 18 to 70 from the 2007–2008 California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS). 

Findings: Lifetime and one-year IPV prevalence was higher in sexual minorities compared with heterosexuals but this was significant only for bisexual women and gay men. IPV of bisexual women, but not gay men, occurred in a heterosexual relationship. 

Authors also tested whether the higher prevalence of IPV in gay men and bisexual women was explained by two mental health indicators — psychological distress and binge drinking — but this hypothesis was not supported.