Out on the street: A public health and policy agenda for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who are homeless.

Abstract

A disproportionate number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth experience homelessness each year in the United States. LGBT youth who are homeless have particularly high rates of mental health and substance use problems, suicidal acts, violent victimization, and a range of HIV risk behaviors. Given the intense needs of LGBT youth experiencing homelessness, it is imperative that we understand their unique experiences and develop responsive practices and policies. The range and severity of health risks vary across subgroups of all homeless LGBT youth, and since the population is nonhomogeneous their particular needs must be identified and addressed. Thus the purpose of this article is to review the causes of homelessness among LGBT youth, discuss the mental health and victimization risks faced by this population, address differences among homeless LGBT subgoups, and recommend effective interventions and best practices. We conclude by discussing promising future research and public policy directions.

Early Life Psychosocial Stressors and Housing Instability among Young Sexual Minority Men: the P18 Cohort Study

“…Homeless SMY have particularly high rates of HIV risk behaviors, suicidality, depression, physical victimization, and substance abuse problems. [9][10][11][12] Moreover, this population as whole experiences more sexual and/or physical abuse combined with parental neglect and rejection. 13,14 Understanding how distinct levels of housing instability among SMY correlate with the aforementioned risk factors will help to advance mechanisms to overcome them.…”

“…11,36 Access to counselors, social workers, and other school-based resources may contribute to why educational status is a protective factor in this population. Training educators and school-based officials on best practices for working with young sexual minority men and utilizing school-based resources (e.g., LGBT Centers and gay-straight alliances) reduce housing instability.…”

Advancing health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people through sexual health education and LGBT-affirming health care environments

“…For example, in addition to learning about disparities pertaining to sexual health (e.g. the increased burden of STIs, including HIV, among MSM 38 ), students may grow to appreciate the differential burdens of depression, eating disorders, substance use disorders and homelessness in LGBT populations, [39][40][41][42] and understand the relationship between these disparities and the stigma LGBT communities experience.…”

LGBTQ+ Young Adults on the Street and on Campus: Identity as a Product of Social Context

“…In addition, LGBT homeless youth experience inordinate adverse mental health consequences, such as depression, posttraumatic stress syndrome, and suicide ideation, when compared to heterosexual homeless youth (Keuroghlian et al, 2014).…”

“…The combined search for identity and experiences of harassment and discrimination has the potential to place sexual minority college students and homeless youth at higher risk for numerous mental health issues, such as depression and suicide ideation, compared to their heterosexual-identified counterparts (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014;Westefeld, Maples, Buford, & Taylor, 2001). Despite these challenges, young adults who identify as LGBTQ can find the college environment to be a crucial time of identity development and self-actualization regarding their sexual orientation (Bilodeau & Renn, 2005).…”