As a rule, Fairbanks Youth Advocates makes every effort non-judgmental, non-partisan, and supportive of all views and positions our youth, their families, and our supporters might hold.  We’re not a political organization, we’re a social service organization.

Still, there are issues that effect – deeply – the lives of the youth that seek our doors. One of those issues is homelessness amongst LGBTQ youth.

October 11th marks National Coming Out Day across the United States. In thinking about this, we are forced to consider that coming out is not safe for many youth.

Gay, lesbian, bi, and transgendered youth who become homeless face a unique struggle. Their stories are particularly heartbreaking.  Many find themselves kicked out of home after disclosing their sexual identity to their family.  They’re rejected by the those who they hoped wold love them unconditionally.

Common reports state that twenty-to-forty percent of runaway and homeless youth identify as gay, lesbian, or transgender.  This is compared to five-to-ten percent of the general teen population, and is likely due to the high numbers of teens kicked out of home because of their sexual identity, forced to leave home because of abuse, or facing intolerable bullying from peers, family and community members.

In one study, 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents/guardians were told they must leave home.  LGBT youth, like many youth who choose to leave home,  also leave home due to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. An estimated one third of LGBT youth are physically abused by a family member after their sexual orientation or gender identity is discovered. Homeless LGBT youth are more likely to: use drugs, participate in sex work, and attempt suicide. Lesbian and gay youths account for up to 30% of all completed suicides among youths.  Where 30% of homeless teens have attempted suicide, 62% of homeless LGBT have attempted.  This is far too high.

Parents: If you are a parent and you have a child who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or just questioning, or whom you think might be, the most important thing you can do is let them know that you love them first and foremost. Do not let fear and personal beliefs interfere with the most important relationship you will have in your life. Lead with your heart and with the love that you have for your child. Just a little bit of acceptance can make a huge difference, and that little bit will grow over time.

Please check out the Family Acceptance Project.  The Family Acceptance Project is really important – it seeks to educate parents about caring for LGBT youth in a healthy and loving way, but more importantly, promotes acceptance and family unity, regardless of how the parent personally believes about sexuality and gender identity, and empathy and understanding from the teen. Pretty cool!

Youth: Here are some links for any youth who may be struggling with issues around gender/sexual identity and coming out.

You Don’t Have To Come Out – think about whether you will be safe in coming out.

Make the Connection: National Runaway Switchboard — information and help for runaway youths and kids thinking of running away.

Planned Parenthood — mostly info for teens on choosing how to come out.

Safe Teens — another coming-out resource for teenagers.

The Trevor Project — provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.

Twenty10 — coming-out tip sheet.

Out & Equal — list of LGBTQI and youth resources.

Fenway Health — toll-free listening line for LGBTQI adults and youth.

GLBT National Help Center — another hotline for LGBTQI folks, free and confidential.

General Info: For more information on homelessness amongst LGBTQ youth, check out the Forty To None Project.

We need to provide support, safe housing, food and other necessities to ALL of our youth to ensure they do not have to turn to unsafe survival mechanisms, dangerous situations, or hopelessness and suicide.

Our children deserve so much better than this. They deserve a chance at a future.