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There are many problems in the LGBTQ community. Firstly, over 40% of the homeless in the U.S. are LGBTQ. Secondly, there is a high rate of suicides among the LGBTQ community due to familial abuse stemming from family and friends not understanding that the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people is not contagious, nor is it wrong. On the contrary, based on personal experience, most LGBTQ people are very loving, caring, warmhearted people, and yet so many are left all alone in the world to fend for themselves. They are pushed out of families at a young age and bullied in school, causing them to drop out or become suicidal. We need to stop judging them and embrace them for being different. JTE can make a difference in their lives. Click How can I help? and be a part of The Solution.
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From a Study conducted by thinkprogress.org:
40 Percent Of Homeless Youth Are LGBT, Family Rejection Is Leading Cause
40 Percent Of Homeless Youth Are LGBT, Family Rejection Is Leading Cause
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Of all the agencies’ LGBT homeless clients, 68 percent have experienced family rejection and more than half (54 percent) experienced abuse in their family. |
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National reports have consistently noted the prevalence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in the homeless population. Many experience abandonment and severe family conflict stemming from their sexual orientation and gender identity but other factors are also present: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse by parents, and mental health disabilities.A small sampling of recent community-wide surveys of homeless youth in Houston, King County, Hollywood, and Minnesota find prevalence of LGBTQ youth ranged from 12 to 35 percent and as many as 7 percent of youth identified as transgender. Conservatively estimated, each year 110,000 LGBTQ youth experience homelessness in America.
LGBTQ youth are particularly vulnerable during episodes of homelessness. Once homeless, LGBTQ youth experience higher rates of physical and sexual assault and higher incidence of mental health problems and unsafe sexual behaviors than heterosexual homeless youth. LGB homeless youth are twice as likely to attempt suicide (62 percent) as their heterosexual homeless peers (29 percent).
Sadly, federal funding is inadequate to reach the majority of LGBTQ homeless youth. The majority of LGBTQ homeless youth never receive access to supportive services or housing opportunities, and most community-based providers serving this population cite lack of bed capacity as their primary concern.
LGBTQ youth are particularly vulnerable during episodes of homelessness. Once homeless, LGBTQ youth experience higher rates of physical and sexual assault and higher incidence of mental health problems and unsafe sexual behaviors than heterosexual homeless youth. LGB homeless youth are twice as likely to attempt suicide (62 percent) as their heterosexual homeless peers (29 percent).
Sadly, federal funding is inadequate to reach the majority of LGBTQ homeless youth. The majority of LGBTQ homeless youth never receive access to supportive services or housing opportunities, and most community-based providers serving this population cite lack of bed capacity as their primary concern.