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Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness: The Need for Targeted Strategies

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  • Alex Abramovich

    (Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada)

Abstract

Gender non-conforming and sexual minority youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population and are frequently discriminated against in shelters and youth serving organizations. This paper provides a contextual understanding of the ways that institutional and governmental policies and standards often perpetuate the social exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-Spirit (LGBTQ2S) youth, by further oppression and marginalization. Factors, including institutional erasure, homophobic and transphobic violence, and discrimination that is rarely dealt with, addressed, or even noticed by shelter workers, make it especially difficult for LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness to access support services, resulting in a situation where they feel safer on the streets than in shelters and housing programs. This paper draws on data from a qualitative Critical Action Research study that investigated the experiences of a group of LGBTQ2S homeless youth and the perspectives of staff in shelters through one-on-one interviews in Toronto, Canada. One of the main recommendations of the study included the need for governmental policy to address LGBTQ2S youth homelessness. A case study is shared to illustrate how the Government of Alberta has put this recommendation into practice by prioritizing LGBTQ2S youth homelessness in their provincial plan to end youth homelessness. The case study draws on informal and formal data, including group activities, questions, and surveys that were collected during a symposium on LGBTQ2S youth homelessness. This paper provides an overview of a current political, social justice, and public health concern, and contributes knowledge to an under researched field of study by highlighting concrete ways to prevent, reduce, and end LGBTQ2S youth homelessness.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Abramovich, 2016. "Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness: The Need for Targeted Strategies," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(4), pages 86-96.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:4:y:2016:i:4:p:86-96
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cochran, B.N. & Stewart, A.J. & Ginzler, J.A. & Cauce, A.M., 2002. "Challenges faced by homeless sexual minorities: Comparison of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender homeless adolescents with their heterosexual counterparts," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(5), pages 773-777.
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    1. Isobel Anderson & Masa Filipovic & Joe Finnerty, 2016. "Researching Homelessness: Challenging Exclusion?," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(4), pages 1-4.
    2. Mallory, Allen B. & Luthy, Ellison & Martin, Jared K. & Slesnick, Natasha, 2022. "Variability in treatment outcomes from a housing intervention for young mothers misusing substances and experiencing homelessness by sexual identity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. Alex Abramovich & Nelson Pang & Amanda Moss & Carmen H Logie & Michael Chaiton & Sean A Kidd & Hayley A Hamilton, 2021. "Investigating the impacts of COVID-19 among LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Michael Chaiton & Iman Musani & Mari Pullman & Carmen H. Logie & Alex Abramovich & Daniel Grace & Robert Schwartz & Bruce Baskerville, 2021. "Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-20, October.
    5. Elena Tubertini & Agostino Carbone & Massimo Santinello, 2023. "Staff Members’ Experience of Italian Shelters for LGBTQIA+ Homeless and Runaway People: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.
    6. Côté, Philippe-Benoit & Blais, Martin, 2019. "Between resignation, resistance and recognition: A qualitative analysis of LGBTQ+ youth profiles of homelessness agencies utilization," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 437-443.
    7. Brodie Fraser & Nevil Pierse & Elinor Chisholm & Hera Cook, 2019. "LGBTIQ+ Homelessness: A Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-13, July.
    8. Axe, Jo & Childs, Elizabeth & Manion, Kathleen, 2020. "In search of employment: Tackling youth homelessness and unemployment," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    9. Prock, Kristen A. & Kennedy, Angie C., 2017. "Federally-funded transitional living programs and services for LGBTQ-identified homeless youth: A profile in unmet need," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 17-24.
    10. Karen Soldatic & Linda Briskman & William Trewlynn & John Leha & Kim Spurway, 2021. "Social Exclusion/Inclusion and Australian First Nations LGBTIQ+ Young People’s Wellbeing," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 9(2), pages 42-51.
    11. DeChants, Jonah P. & Shelton, Jama & Anyon, Yolanda & Bender, Kimberly, 2022. "“I just want to move forward”: Themes of resilience among LGBTQ young adults experiencing family rejection and housing insecurity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    12. Brodie Fraser & Elinor Chisholm & Nevil Pierse, 2021. "“You’re so powerless”: Takatāpui/LGBTIQ+ people’s experiences before becoming homeless in Aotearoa New Zealand," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(12), pages 1-23, December.
    13. Gallardo, Kathryn R. & Santa Maria, Diane & Narendorf, Sarah & Markham, Christine M. & Swartz, Michael D. & Batiste, Charles M., 2020. "Access to healthcare among youth experiencing homelessness: Perspectives from healthcare and social service providers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    14. Daniela Lemmo & Maria Luisa Martino & Anna Rosa Donizzetti & Maria Francesca Freda & Daniela Caso, 2022. "The Relationship between Healthcare Providers and Preventive Practices: Narratives on Access to Cancer Screening," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.

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