Homeless And Non Homeless Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual

Abstract: SMY (sexual minority youth, which refers within this paper to youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer) are at risk for trauma in particularly high numbers. When SMY become homeless, their risk for exposure to trauma becomes even higher, presenting the helping professions with a population that faces unique problems in clinical settings that may seek to treat homelessness without considering minority stress and repeated exposure to trauma. We reviewed literature concerned with trauma, homelessness and SMY issues to determine which EBPs (evidence-based practices) have been deemed most helpful for this population and found very few. Our investigation into local resources available to homeless SMY was similarly discouraging. Since previous trauma and marginalized sexual orientation are the primary factors for continued risk, we can suggest that Trauma Informed Care and Gay Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are currently our best choices. This paper will seek to explore why.

Homeless youth face an abundance of challenges, especially if they are on their own, such as finding food, shelter, income, and potential medical expenses. Some youth experience additional hardship by facing the effects of abuse they endured at their previous place of residence. According to the National Conference of State Legislators (2013) 46 percent of runaway and homeless youth reported physical abuse, 38 percent reported emotional abuse, and 17 percent reported being forced into unwanted sexual activity by a family or household member. Therefore, the chances of emotional vulnerability are high.

Many LGBTQ youth have particular experiences of trauma, rejection and abuse related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, and programs sometimes fail to address these issues. Even when LGBTQ youth access programs, some experience discrimination and harassment by staff who are not trained to be culturally competent on LGBT issues. By forging links with the LGBTQ youth task force to bring further attention to the homeless we can ensure development of safe and appropriate services for this population (Bardine,

Homeless teenagers are a vulnerable population that faces many challenges just in terms of daily existence in addition to their overall development in the transitioning to adulthood. Current studies are reported to indicate that the primary cause of homeless among youth is "family dysfunction in the form of parental neglect, physical or sexual abuse, family substance abuse, and family violence." (Runway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Toolkit, 2009, p.1) Homeless youth are generally defined as "an unaccompanied youth ages 12 and older who are without family support and who are living in shelters, on the streets, in cares or vacant buildings and who are 'couch surfing' or living in other unstable circumstances." (Runway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Toolkit, 2009, p.1) Son (2002) writes that it is "...unknown how many homeless youth are out there. Most of them are not in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or mental health systems, making it difficult to accurately gather statistical data." (p.2)

Sometimes personal struggles cause people to be homeless while those who try moving away from unstable lifestyles have few options, this may further be complicated if they are discriminated like those who identify with the LGBT groups. Identifying the homeless youths, including the runaways is potentially challenging, but when it is possible to reach them it helps to improve access to affordable housing services. While people may view the economic causes

Majority of American families are a paycheck, illness or car breakdown away from homelessness. One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is families with children. A survey conducted in 25 cities in the U.S found that 36% of the homeless population was composed of families with children, (Millennial Housing Commission. Meeting Our Nation's Housing Challenges, 2002). Homeless children have demonstrated serious developmental and learning delays, and are more likely to drop out of school compared to children with stable living conditions. Single Homeless adults are mostly men between the ages of 31 and 50 years of age. Approximately half of the single adult homeless have use or a have a history of substance abuse. About a third of this population has serious or ongoing illnesses. Another segment of the homeless population are thruway or runway youth. One study showed that approximately one and a half million youth in America were homes at least one night in the course of a year, (U.S. Conference of Mayors. Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness, 2001). Homelessness is a result of complex circumstances in which people are made to choose from the basic human

Family conflict over sexual identity is one reason some of these youths leave home (Smart, 1991), and some youths are thrown out by their families.

Many services are available that can positively impact protective factors, however, barriers to these services exist for LGBTQ youth; particularly transgender youth (Mathematica Policy Research, 2014). The barriers to providing services to LGBTQ homeless youth are twofold. First, LGBTQ youth are not always open to accepting services for a variety of reasons. Stigma, discrimination, and victimization are factors that impact the willingness of LGBT homeless youth to utilize services, especially homeless shelters; as is prior rejection at home and school (Hunter, 2008; Whitbeck, Chen, Hoyt, Tyler & Johnson, 2004). It is important to consider that many LGBT homeless youth have previously been in the foster care system and have reported that abuse

“...These youths have been shown to engage in similar strategies for meeting basic needs and to experience similar problems; drugs and alcohol abuse, poor physical health, victimization and societal alienation. Homeless youths are identified as those who spend extended periods of time without permanent or stable residences, often with little family contact. Youths who become immersed in 'street' culture comprise a homeless youth population highly susceptible to peer affiliation and acceptance. Emotionally distressed and unsupervised, homeless youths often seek supportive others and may quickly invest in new, but harmful, relationships in an attempt to be accepted and reduce feelings of isolation. Relationships with other street youths quickly become the primary source of social support.” Following are the factors affecting the critical issue of ‘homelessness’ around the globe.

“In January 2015, 358,422 people experienced homelessness as individuals (64 percent of all homeless people). There were 206,286 homeless people in families with children on a single night in January 2015, accounting for 36 percent of all homeless people. Homelessness among individuals declined by less than 1 percent (or 1,767) between 2014 and 2015, and by 13 percent (or 54,278) between 2007 and 2015. Homelessness among people in families with children declined by 5 percent (or 9,975) between 2014 and 2015, and by 12 percent (or 28,272) between 2007 and 2015” (Authors et al, 2016).

Any logical human should agree that in order for a developing mind to successfully flourish, homelessness can not be a factor within a young adult's life. An understanding commonly found among those with a rewarding lifestyle comply that a stable life for an adolescent is a basis for a favorable career and homelessness should not be associated. Homelessness is a component in a number of teens lives in Arizona, which by default significantly decrease their chances from having said favorable career, thus prohibiting them from having a fortunate life. Abusive relationships, economic hardships, and being involved with the Juvenile System are just a few of the many factors that play into making teenagers believe homelessness is their only option.

2). The center also indicated an increase in the numbers of youth who were kicked out of their homes during the past few years. Nearly nine out of the ten agencies reported assisting LGBT youth, and seven out of ten homeless LGBT youth indicated family rejection as a major contributing factor to their homelessness (Grant, et al 2).

The first three sets of theory incorporated the levels, shifting levels of identities shaped by outside agencies for LGBT youth. Another social factor that impending on young sexual minorities are the threats of poverty. These threats cause LGBT youth to experience vulnerability and detriment to their identities. Corliss et al. research validates that statement. In their article, “High Burden of Homelessness Among Sexual-Minority Adolescents: Findings From a Representative, Massachusetts High School, Sample,” they review the prevalence of homelessness in LGBT and heterosexual adolescents (Corliss et al. 1683). Their findings include: 40% LGBT student in the Massachusetts

An approximated 6 % to 10 % of street youth report being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender (GLBT) (Oliveira & Burke, 2009, p. 155). In 2009 there was an estimated 1.7 million homeless youth in the United States (Oliveira & Burke, 2009), and of those, thousands were reported to have been “throwaway, castaway, or pushed out” due to parental figures driving the point that their sexual orientation was no longer welcome in the home (p.155). These children have been abandoned or deserted, leaving them at risk to later be victimized in the street culture, while leaving many scars on their

As sad as it is the truth is that people under 18 years make up 39% of the total homeless population and 40% of those minors identify as LGBT. While the contributing reasons to homelessness is seemingly never ending the main cause of youth homelessness is physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse from parents or guardians. For these