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Population: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender
Many homeless teens are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. In fact, research shows that sexual minorities are typically over-represented amongst the street youth population. These homeless teens didn't lose their homes due to cutbacks or lay-offs or an unfortunate turn in the market. They are homeless because of their sexuality. The process of "coming out" may lead to ruptures with family, schools, and the community, making it impossible (and in many cases unsafe) to remain at home. Their parents become distant or turn violent at the news of their child's sexuality, forcing many kids (some as young as 11) to live on the streets and care for themselves. They live in shelters or transitional housing. Too many of them turn to drugs and prostitution as a means to make a living.

Many youth create their own families on the streets and often find greater acceptance through street culture than from their own biological families. Unfortunately, despite the clos...e-knit ties that they may have on the street, they are at a higher risk than their heterosexual peers because of homophobia, transgender phobia ("trans-phobia"), and prejudices. Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender homeless youth are also at a higher risk of the dangers associated with substance use, assault, and sex trade work.

Trading sex for money can be very tempting to a young "trans", or transgender person who is looking to affirm their identity and make some money when they are meeting with discrimination on their job search. Societal homophobia creates a hostile atmosphere for youth entering shelters that are open to the general homeless population, resulting in GLBT youth often becoming victims of crime like physical and sexual assault, theft, and sexual harassment.

AUTHOR: Power, Asetha (2008) Homeless Hub. [Show More][Show Less]
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A Canadian Homelessness Research Network (CHRN) initiative. The CHRN has received financial support from the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada