Serving Our Youth: Findings From a National Survey of Service Providers Working With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Who Are Homeless or At Risk of Becoming Homeless

• NCJ Number: 240641
• Author(s): Laura E. Durso; Gary J. Gates
• Date Published: 2012
• Length: 17 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Palette Fund; True Colors Fund; The Williams Institute
• Sale Source: The Williams Institute
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Survey; Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This Web-based survey, which was conducted from October 2011 through March 2012, assessed the experiences of homeless youth organizations in providing services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth; and it assessed the prevalence of LGBT youth within the homeless population being served by these organizations.

Abstract

Ninety-four percent of respondents (n = 381 representing 354 agencies throughout the Nation) reported serving homeless youth who identified as LGBT in the past year. LGBT youth composed between 30 percent and 43 percent of those served by drop-in centers, street outreach programs, and housing programs; 43 percent of clients served by drop-in centers identified as LGBT and 30 percent of street outreach clients identified as LGBT. On average, 30 percent of clients using housing programs identified as LGBT (26 percent as LGB and 4 percent as transgender). Family rejection because of sexual orientation and gender identity was the most frequently cited factor that contributed to LGBT homelessness. The next most frequently cited reason for LGBT youth's homelessness was being forced out of their family homes as a result of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Fifty-four percent of clients had experienced abuse in their families. Just over 40 percent of the responding agencies did not address family-based issues; however, agencies were more likely to conduct family-based work if they served LGB homeless youth under the age of 18. Twenty-four percent of the programs represented in the survey were designed specifically for LGBT youth. LGBT youth were reported to participate in all types of programs and services offered by participating agencies, including recreational programs, education programs, and health-promotion activities. The lack of funding, particularly government funding, was identified as the primary barrier to improving services related to reducing LGBT homelessness.