LGBT Youth

Queer young people, or young people who are sexuality diverse and/or trans and gender diverse, face a higher lifetime likelihood of homelessness than their cis-heterosexual peers. However, queer young people are often treated as a homogenous group within research, a methodological decision that obscures differences on the basis of gender identity. Drawing upon 2,159 intake records from a youth housing program in Australia, the authors compare the experiences of (i) cis-heterosexual; (ii) sexuality diverse; and (iii) trans and gender diverse young people across a number of domains related to vulnerability, including victimization and violence, health, substance use, and support systems. Eighteen percent of young people in the sample identified as queer, and five percent identified as trans or gender diverse. Queer young people were more likely to report family and intimate partner violence, poor mental health, and recent substance use than cis-hetero youth. Trans and gender non-conforming respondents were more likely than sexuality diverse peers to be experiencing current, rather than past, family violence, and less likely to report intimate partner violence and substance use. We conclude by discussing these issues within the context of past research and their implication for future research and practice within the homelessness sector.

This report was developed with extensive input from LGBTQ+ young people currently or formerly in foster care, LGBTQ+ young people currently or formerly experiencing homelessness, and direct service workers. We identify how the pandemic is amplifying some of the risks for LGBTQ+ youth in child welfare systems and propose practices to mitigate them. Now, more than ever, LGBTQ+ young people must be protected.

LGBTQ youth experience increased risks of homelessness, mental health disorder symptoms, and suicidality. Utilizing data from LGBTQ youth contacting a suicide crisis services organization, this study examined: (a) rates of homelessness among crisis services users, (b) the relationship between disclosure of LGBTQ identity to parents and parental rejection and homelessness, and (c) the relationship between homelessness and mental health disorder outcomes and suicidality. A nationwide sample of LGBTQ youth was recruited for a confidential online survey from an LGBTQ-focused crisis services hotline. Overall, nearly one-third of youth contacting the crisis services hotline had experienced lifetime homelessness, and those who had disclosed their LGBTQ identity to parents or experienced parental rejection because of LGBTQ status experienced higher rates of homelessness. Youth with homelessness experiences reported more symptoms of several mental health disorders and higher rates of suicidality. Suggestions for service providers are discussed.

In October 2018, with generous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Drs. Jama Shelton and SJ Dodd convened a town hall meeting at the True Colors United Impact Summit. The goal of the town hall was to gather information from young people with lived experience, service providers, policy makers, and advocates regarding the challenges they face and the questions needed answering in order to adequately and comprehensively address LGBTQ youth homelessness, with the goal of creating a national LGBTQ youth homelessness research agenda. The intention of the research agenda is to center the voices and experiences of those most impacted by LGBTQ youth homelessness and to provide a guide for researchers investigating solutions to address the disparities faced by LGBTQ youth, particularly LGBTQ youth of color.

Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing a disproportionate number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) youth in our country today. According to a recent report, LGBTQ youth and young adults are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their straight and cisgender peers.1 Service providers also estimate anywhere from 20-40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ, while only 7-10% of the general youth population identifies as such.2 In 2016, True Colors United and the National LGBTQ Task Force released At the Intersections, a comprehensive and collaborative report on LGBTQ youth homelessness. In the three years since the first edition of At the Intersections was released, so much has happened in the field of youth homelessness. We are both heartened by the progress that’s been made and acutely aware of the work that still needs to be done. This second edition of At the Intersections reveals what has changed in the past three years regarding our understanding of LGBTQ youth homelessness. We have more information, and we are using that information to make more informed choices as we work to make youth homelessness a rare, brief, and one-time experience.

If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re a young person who cares about people experiencing homelessness. Not only that, you care enough to do something about it! Everyone has their own stories and pathways into this work, and you’re no different. Whether you’re a part of a youth action board (YAB) or an individual who wants our housing systems to function better, this work needs you – and this toolkit is designed to help set you up for success. True Colors United developed this resource alongside members of the National Youth Forum on Homelessness to make sure it covers everything a young person needs to get started in youth homelessness advocacy. From the different types of housing models to how to start a Youth Action Board to tips on preventing burnout and prioritizing self-care, we’ve got you covered.

Welcome to True Colors United’s Racial Equity Toolkit. True Colors United is a nonprofit organization that implements solutions to youth homelessness by focusing on the unique experiences of LGBTQ youth, youth of color, and other groups harmed by historical inequities. We developed this toolkit through the specific lens of youth homelessness in America, which has a long history of racism that has led to wide-ranging consequences for young people. However, we believe that the topics and concepts covered in this toolkit can apply to all individuals from all sectors, because no American system or institution is exempt from its history of racial inequity. This toolkit is the result of a concerted internal effort to meaningfully live the values we champion to others. This is our first external-facing resource on the subject. Above all, we hope that this toolkit is a starting point for you and your organization, rather than a signal that you have crossed the finish line.

In the United States, nearly 1.7 million youth under the age of 18 run away from home and often end up homeless each year. Reports estimate that between 20% and 40% of the runaway and homeless youth population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) (Durso & Gates, 2012; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014). This suggests that as many as 80,000 LGBT youth are homeless for over a week each year (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2012). In addition, LGBT youth are more likely to suffer from poverty, substance abuse, violence, mental illness, and attempted suicide as a result of harassment and discrimination (Cray, Miller, & Durso, 2013; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014; Swan, 2014). Grounded in social equity theory (Frederickson, 2010) and intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991), this article argues that additional legal protections are necessary in order to ensure the constitutional rights of LGBT youth. A case study of the Youth Empowered Society (YES) in Baltimore City is provided as an example of a service-delivery model for this vulnerable population. Best practices are identified and anti-discrimination policies are recommended.

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness (YEH), and health disparities among LGBQ youth are well-documented. LGBQ youth are typically aggregated as a single sexual minority group; however, research suggests that bisexual youth may have greater mental health, substance use, and physical health risks relative to their gay and lesbian peers. In a probability sample of LGBQ YEH in Los Angeles County (n = 183), we examined subgroup differences in homelessness severity, depression, physical health, and substance use, focusing on differences between bisexual and gay/lesbian youth due to the small subsample of questioning youth. Indicators of homelessness severity were standalone outcomes, and also were integrated as control variables with gender, age, race/ethnicity, and education in multivariable models. Bisexual youth were more likely to have become unaccompanied homeless persons as minors (OR = 4.35, 95% CI 1.85–10.23), and to have not recently utilized emergency shelters or transitional housing at least once in the past month (OR = 6.41; 95% CI 2.41–17.03). Bisexual youth were more likely to have probable depression (OR = 4.06, 95% CI 1.41–11.68). Among sexual minority YEH, bisexual youth may be at elevated risk for depression, in addition to more severe homelessness."

This study documents the child welfare experiences of youth who are LGBTQ and their perspectives on how these experiences influenced their housing instability and homelessness. Youth detailed incidents of gender segregation, stigmatization, isolation, and institutionalization in child welfare systems that they linked to their gender expression and sexuality, which often intersected with being a youth of color. The youth described these incidents as contributing to multiple placements and shaping why they experienced homelessness.