Alarming Prevalence of LGBTQ Homeless Youth

Picture: A resident of Sylvia's Place, a shelter for LGBTQ youth in New York. (From the book Shelter by Lucky S. Michaels, available for purchase on Amazon... all proceeds benefit Sylvia's Place.)

Gay youth are disproportionately represented among homeless youth, according to a study released this week. Roughly 20 percent of homeless youth self-identify as LGBTQ... and that's a conservative estimate. Homeless LGBTQ youth are more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse than their heterosexual peers. Even more disconcerting is that the social service safety net to catch these troubled teens is, in many communities, nonexistent.

Life can be tough for a teen struggling to find his/her identity. Coming out to family, friends, classmates can take a toll on a young person. So it is no wonder that mental anguish, severe family abuse, conflict, neglect, and abandonment are just a few of the reasons LGBTQ (LGBTQ = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning) youth become homeless, according to the report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness:

A growing, but inadequate, body of research finds that between 240,000 and 400,000 LGBTQ youth experience at least one episode of homelessness each year in the United States. A review of research literature finds that not only is there a disproportionate representation of LGBTQ youth among homeless youth populations, but this population experiences greater physical and sexual exploitation while homeless than their heterosexual peers. Unfortunately, a national shortage of youth shelters and housing programs result in many youth being denied meaningful assistance.

This report is packed with data, all of it compelling. So here are a few of the most salient points that struck me:

• 25 percent of LGB youth report family rejection as the primary cause of their homelessness.
• LGB homeless youth are also more likely to attempt suicide (62 percent) than their heterosexual homeless peers (29 percent).
• LGB homeless youth are more likely than heterosexual homeless youth to engage in the sex trade to meet their basic needs
• Homeless LGBTQ youth are disproportionately people of color, particularly African American and American Indian, and from poor or working-class families.
• In 2007, 90% of teens on the streets did not receive housing and meaningful assistance due to a national shortage of youth shelters and housing programs.

These numbers are extremely troubling. Sadly, there seems to be a direct correlation between tolerance of a LGBTQ youth's family and the liklihood that they will end up on the street.

So how can we change this?

First, check out fellow change.org blogger Mike Jones' suggestions for creating a more tolerant and accepting society.

And second, homeless service providers should focus on interventions targeting LGBTQ homeless youth. Although research in this field is growing, it is clear that the best services for homeless LGBTQ youth go beyond just "tolerance." Shelters and organizations serving homeless youth should make clear that LGBTQ youth will be welcomed and nurtured and celebrated as humans.

Dec. 13 Note: Thanks to Ben for the FYI about the picture.