Rejected and alone: LGBTQAI+ and homelessness

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The struggle of those who identify as LGBTQAI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Asexual, Intersex, and other diverse sexual orientations and gender identities) persists even on the streets while trying to obtain secure housing. 

According to the UCLA Williams Institute, 17% of LGB adults and 30% of transgendered adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. They face significant discrimination while homeless, and a disproportionate number of homeless LGBTQAI+ are unsheltered.

Success has many faces at the Weingart Center, where we help thousands of individuals a year leave the street and change their lives forever. We do this by offering a multifaceted solution through comprehensive services, experienced staff and referrals, and our supportive housing facilities. Many different people walk through our doors with their own unique struggles, and we strive to provide each of them with the respect and sensitivity they need.

Homeless LGBTQAI+ individuals face distinct challenges and circumstances that deserve specific consideration. With empathy and understanding, we have a higher chance of helping them turn their lives around. Here are some of the key factors that contribute to their unique experiences.

Family rejection
Forty percent of homeless youth between the ages of 15-24 years old in America identify as LGBTQAI+, many of them with families who were unsupportive and lacked understanding. They were rejected and kicked out of their homes or were subjected to abuse and aggressions that forced them to flee. According to the Trevor Project, more than half of LGBTQ youth reported running away from home because of mistreatment or fear of mistreatment due to their identity. Without a stable support network, many find themselves sleeping on the streets, focused on survival rather than spreading their wings.

Discrimination and violence
There is a high risk of violence and harassment for people living on the streets. LGBTQ youth who experience housing instability, for example, are three times more likely to be threatened or abused due to their gender identity and sexual orientation compared to those with stable housing. They are more likely to be robbed and sexually assaulted, and 33% of LGBTQ youth have reported being a victim of hate crime since being homeless. 

Non-inclusive shelters
LGBTQAI+ who experience housing instability are vulnerable to violence and harassment on the streets, especially when seeking access to shelter. While the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates the Equal Access Rule, which requires equal access to HUD housing programs without regard to a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, shelters might not have the resources and staff to fully enforce this rule. In many shelters, there are few gender-neutral bathrooms available to those who are nonbinary. Sex-segregated facilities force transgender people to be housed according to their sex assigned at birth, which can lead to violence and victimization. At least 44% of transgender people reported mistreatment at a shelter, including requirements to dress or present as the wrong gender. There aren’t many facilities equipped to provide the level of safety and dignity these individuals require, which forces them to hide their identities or even deters them from seeking services and shelter altogether. 

Lack of affirming healthcare
Homeless LGBTQAI+ need access to healthcare services that are inclusive and understanding. Some members of this community may face discrimination when accessing services or encounter problems with the need for access to something like hormone therapy. They may encounter staff who aren’t properly trained or culturally competent when providing support. 

Intersectionality and discrimination
Gender or sexuality might not be the only type of discrimination these individuals are forced to contend with. They may face intersectional challenges, where their LGBTQAI+ identity intersects with other marginalized identities such as race, ethnicity, or disability. 

Mental health and substance abuse
Homeless LGBTQAI+ face higher rates of hard drug use and poor mental health, including self-harm and thoughts of suicide. At least 58% of homeless LGBTQAI+ youths considered suicide in the last year. The stress of homelessness, along with the abuse and rejection they face due to their identity, contribute heavily to their mental state. The majority of LGBTQAI+ youths who faced housing instability reported that they couldn’t access consistent mental health care due to the high cost. 

Survival sex work and exploitation
Without training beyond entry-level positions, many homeless LGBTQAI+ are forced into the “street economy” and resort to drug sales and sex work to survive. Studies show that LGBTQ youth are more than three times as likely to be involved in survival sex as their counterparts in order to obtain shelter, food, or income. 

Advocacy for LGBTQAI+ rights and visibility is crucial to combatting the systemic factors that contribute to LGBTQAI+ homelessness. They have higher rates of poverty and lower rates of homeownership than cisgender straight adults. State and federal laws like the Fair Housing Act and even the Civil Rights Act still don’t provide full protection from gender identity and sexual orientation discrimination when it comes to lending, employment, and even rental applications. Many safety nets can ignore the plight of LGBTQAI+, leaving them stranded and at high risk for homelessness. 

For agencies that address the unique circumstances of these individuals who become homeless, it’s important to create a safe and inclusive shelter and be serious about implementing anti-discrimination policies. From there, staff need to be trained to serve the LGBTQAI+ population in an affirming way and offer support and mental health services that are culturally competent and tailored to specific needs. 

As you can see, turning a life around is no easy feat, and if you, too, care about our mission to end homelessness among Angelenos, we make it easy to step in and contribute to the cause. Find out more about how to get involved.