Nearly one-third of NYC homeless youth are LGBT

A new study commissioned by the New York City Council has found that almost one-third of New York's homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, confirming the findings of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's groundbreaking national study, LGBT Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness, released last December. "We applaud the City Council for committing the resources to uncover and address this tragedy," said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "While LGBT people make up about five percent of the city's population, our youth constitute an overwhelming and disproportionate percentage of those navigating the dangers of life on the street." The study by the Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services closely mirrors the findings of the Task Force/National Coalition for the Homeless report, which found that between 20 and 40 percent of homeless youth across the nation are LGBT. Both studies highlight the particular vulnerability of LGBT youth, who are too often targeted for ostracism and abuse not only at home and school, but also in the shelters where they might hope to find sanctuary. The Task Force report notes that transgender homeless youth are more likely to face discrimination in the traditional shelter system, more likely to find it difficult to obtain and maintain meaningful employment, and are subsequently far more likely to engage in survival sex or other risky behaviors. Foreman added, "These findings confirm a tremendous need for LGBT-affirming programs–whether they be shelters, transitional housing or services. Research has found that fully one-quarter of homeless gay youth are forced to leave home when they come out. Where are these young people going to go? How are we as a community taking responsibility for their safety and well-being?"