Young, gay and homeless in L.A. County

Homeless gay youths on the streets of Los Angeles County are largely a hidden population.

Part of how they survive is by blending in. Police officers are quick to issue tickets, and the streets are full of predators.

In recent weeks, Times reporter Alexandra Zavis and photographer Christina House spent time with several gay homeless men in their early 20s. They agreed to speak openly about their lives, including illegal drug use and other criminal activity, on the condition that their full names not be used.

Photographs of two such subjects, AJ and his boyfriend Alex, as they struggle on the streets can be seen in the gallery above.

Read Zavis’ full story, “Gay and homeless: In plain sight, a largely hidden population” and the story behind the story.

Publication Date: 
2010
Location: 
Los Angeles, CA, USA