LaDarius 1

LaDarius Doaks
Professor Pamela Reed
Composition I
14 September 2015

LGBT Youth Homelessness

According to the U.S. Census in 2014, the population of America is 318.9 million total.
35% of that total are homeless people. A little less than 40% of Homeless Americans identify as
a part of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community. Due to their sexual
orientation and/or gender identity the LGBT youth are homeless for multiple reasons such as
family religion and abuse happening to them due to their lifestyle. The Second National
Incidence Study of Missing Abducted, Runaway and Throwaway Children determined that 1.7
million LGBT youth experienced at least one episode of homelessness each year. (National
Coalition for the Homeless)
Today, LGBT youth are coming out regarding their sexual orientation at a younger age.
In 2008, it was surveyed that the come out age was 18-22. Since 2010, the age has decreased
to 16. This is not necessarily a good thing. The chances of the youth living a regular life after
they come out is slim to none until they move out to be on their own. The parents dont
sometimes agree. This type of rejection leads the youth to desperate measures for attention and
support. (Huffington Post: Gay Voices)

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Parents abandon their LGBT youth every day. God didnt want it to be this way is a
common response in a religious household when a child comes out. Religious parents usually
kick out their child due to shame, anger, and confusion. In a Rolling Stone article published in
2014, Jackie is lesbian college student. She found the perfect girl for her and she decided to
come out to her mother. She was ready to take things serious with her significant other. She
called her mother and told her. Her mothers response was: I dont know what we could have
done for God to have given us a fag as a child. Then she hung up. (Rolling Stone)
This certain population of homelessness is focused more on because it can be stopped.
The rate of homeless homosexuals and gender identifiers keeps quietly growing. To determine
the accurate amount is difficult to calculate. LGBT youth are often afraid to enter into regular
services or shelters or they dont know and dont have the information for the LGBT friendly
ones built for them, making the count difficult to come up with. Keeping LGBT youth who were
thrown out on the street in a stable service or shelter will decrease the rate of homelessness in
America. LGBT youth are all throughout the foster care system. With the issues of homophobia
and heterosexism, its not safe in a lot of places for members of the LGBT community. It is
proven that the LGBT homeless turns to sexual exploitation quicker than a heterosexual
homeless person. This contributes to the rise in AIDS/HIV in the LGBT community. Its very
common for the homeless to resort to desperate measures to survive. (USICH)
New York has the highest percentage of homeless LGBT youth. The ages range from 12
to 17 years. That is not including gender identifiers. Washington is next in line followed by
California, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, and Kansas. Along the coasts, both East and West, the
LGBT youth are more accepted. These places have greater legal protection and programs to

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support the LGBT homeless community. Currently, there are little to no help designed to meet
the needs of the LGBT homeless in the South. (Seeking Shelter)
Homelessness is one of Americas biggest issues. The right to safe shelter and different
services should be granted to everyone. There is no telling when LGBT homelessness will end.

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Works Cited
"LGBT Homelessness - National Coalition for the Homeless." National Coalition for the
Homeless. Warp Theme Framework,
n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015

"United States Interagency Council on Homelessness." LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in

Focus. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness,
n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015.

"The Forsaken: A Rising Number of Homeless Gay Teens Are Being Cast Out by
Religious Families." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone, 03 Sept. 2014.
Web. 16 Sept. 2015.

Goodman A. Josh. Preparing for a Generation That Comes Out Younger Huffington
Post: Gay Voices
Web. 02 April 2013

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Keuroghlian, Alex S., Derri Shtasel, and Ellen L. Bassuk. "Out On The Street: A Public
Health And Policy Agenda For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Youth Who
Are Homeless." American Journal of Orthopsychiatry (American Psychological
Association) 84.1 (2014): 66-72. Academic Search Complete.
Web. 16 Sept. 2015

Cray Andrew, Miller Katie, Durso E. Laura. Seeking Shelter The Experiences and
Unmet Needs of LGBT Homeless Youth
Web. Sept. 2013