LGBTQI+

On any given night in 2023, there were approximately 34,700 people under 25 who experienced homelessness as an unaccompanied minor.¹ Current studies, as well as anecdotal evidence from social service professionals, suggest that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or intersex (LGBTQI+) youth are significantly overrepresented in homeless populations,² with a recent study finding that LGBTQI+ young adults experience homelessness at more than twice the rate of their peers.³ In addition to being at greater risk for experiencing homelessness, LGBTQI+ young people represent up to 40 percent of the youth homeless population⁴ related to factors such as family rejection and abuse, as well as discrimination. According to a survey of homeless service providers serving LGBTQI+ young people, 68 percent of the homeless youth served had a history of family rejection, 65 percent had a history of mental health issues (such as depression or anxiety), and 54 percent had a history of family abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual). LGBTQ youth experience many similar issues leading to homelessness; however, estimates suggest issues are exaggerated for transgender youth.⁵

At home, in shelters, searching for housing, and on the streets, these youth may endure traumatic experiences, such as harassment, stigmatization, or abuse from family, peers, and shelter staff as a result of their sexual orientation and/or gender nonconformity.⁶ Youth may have difficulty finding housing and may be asked to leave shelters after revealing their sexual or transgender identity. As a result of harassment and negative experiences in their homes and shelters, LGBTQI+ youth are more likely to live on the streets than their heterosexual peers and are especially vulnerable to physical and sexual exploitation.⁷ LGBTQI+ youth who experience homelessness also experience higher rates of trauma and adversity, including high rates of conduct disorder, posttraumatic stress, and suicidal behavior, with approximately 60 percent likely to attempt suicide.⁸

To address these challenges, LGBTQI+ youth who are affected by homelessness or are in out-of-home care need protection from harassment, access to culturally appropriate support, and equal treatment and supportive services.⁹ It is important for shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing to promote positive youth development, provide trauma-informed services and safe spaces for LGBTQI+ youth, offer family reconciliation services (when appropriate), and connect youth to community resources and services.¹⁰ Responses to youth homelessness are typically crisis oriented. A comprehensive approach can better prevent youth homelessness, such as using prevention services (e.g., providing equitable and culturally appropriate health and mental health services) and diversion strategies (e.g., quickly helping homeless or youth at-risk to “choice driven” crisis housing and tailored services that will lead to permanent housing).¹¹

View the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity topic to learn more about LGBTQI+ youth. 

Resources

Learning From the Field: Expert Panel on Youth Who Are LGBTQI2-S and Experiencing Homeless (Summary of Proceedings) (PDF, 45 pages) 
This document highlights key issues, strategies, best practices, and next steps for collaboration between the Homelessness Resource Center and other stakeholders to address lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, or two- spirit (LGBTQI2-S) youth who are experiencing homelessness. 

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 
This website includes information and resources on homelessness in the United States, including a section focused on LGBTQ youth. 

Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center  
This center offers an assortment of publications and resources to help family and youth workers better understand the needs of LGBTQI+ young people and how they can go about making their programs more LGBTQI+ friendly.  

Voices of Youth: LGBTQ Young Adults Experience Homelessness at More than Twice the Rate of Peers 
This issue brief discusses recent findings on homelessness rates among LGBT young adults in comparison with their peers, including easy to read infographics. 

Emerging Practices for Supporting LGBTQI+ Young People Across Human Services Programs 
This project highlights promising and emerging practices that human services agencies, programs, staff, and leaders are using to make human service delivery and prevention more welcoming and accessible for LGBTQI+ young people (ages 10–24) in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, as well as those experiencing homelessness and those seeking sexual health services.  

Homeless and Housing Resource Center (HHRC): Providing Affirming Services to LGBTQ+ Youth Experiencing Homelessness (Webinar) 
For providers working in housing and homelessness, knowing about the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ youth is essential in providing quality and appropriate care. This panel discussed the needs of the population, and ways providers and clinicians can provide supportive and affirming care. 

The HHRC includes resources focused on youth as well as on LGBTQI2-S youth. Intersex is defined as individuals with medically defined biological attributes that are not exclusively male or female. These youth are frequently “assigned” a gender at birth, which may differ from their gender identity later in life. Two-spirit is a culture-specific general identity for Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives) with homosexual or transgender identities.¹²

Center of Excellence for LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity  
Supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The Center for Excellence provides behavioral health practitioners with vital information on supporting the population of people identifying as LGBTQI2-S, along with other diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. Through training, coaching, and technical assistance, the center is implementing change strategies within mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems to address disparities effecting LGBTQ+ people across all stages of life. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR): Assisting LGBTQ+ SSI/SSDI Applicants 
The SAMHSA SOAR TA Center has a resource that provides answers to frequently asked questions about working with LGBTQI2-S, along with applicants of other diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions (LGBTQ+), during the SSI/SSDI application process. Learn more about using respectful language, engaging in productive and meaningful ways, and preparing Social Security Administration forms and the SOAR Medical Summary Report with special care and attention to details related to LGBTQ+ matters. 

References