Gay Youth

[Daniel]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/17/us...=1&oref=slogin

Originally Posted by NYTimes

May 17, 2007
Gay Youths Find Place to Call Home in Specialty Shelters

By IAN URBINA
DETROIT — One girl said she started living on the streets after her mother beat her for dressing like a boy. Another said she ran away from home after her father pulled a gun on her for hanging around with so many “tomboys.” A third said she left home after a family acquaintance raped her because she was a lesbian and he wanted to “straighten her out.”

But gathered at Ruth’s House, a 10-bed emergency shelter for gay homeless youths here in east Detroit, they all said that for the first time they felt safe.

Ruth’s House is one of a small number of shelters for gay youths that have opened around the nation in the past four years, reflecting an increasing awareness among child welfare advocates of the disproportionately high number of gay youths in the homeless population and the special problems they face.

Five years ago, such shelters were rare, but now there are more than 25 nationwide.

Many experts estimate that while gay men and lesbians make up 3 percent to 5 percent of the general population, more than 20 percent of homeless youths under age 21 in many urban areas are gay, according to recent surveys of street youths and shelter workers published in peer-reviewed academic journals, and a study released in January by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Once on the streets, advocates and researchers said, gay youths may be avoiding group homes, shelters and the foster care system because they are afraid they will face violence and harassment.

[Britt.]

I'm actually working on setting up something like that here, although when I talk about it, there is extra focus on transgender. Met w/ a lady about getting funding yesterday, actually. Early stages, but I noticed the thread for that reason. It seems like ever since I thought of it, I've been hearing about similar shelters that are already open left & right. There was a documentary on Sylvia's Place the other day, but I don't remember what channel that was on.

[Zerbie]

Good for you Britt! Heroic!!

[Montanna]

Thanks for posting the article Daniel. Everytime I hear about these teens being thrown out and/or abused, it makes me want to work harder at educating others. Good for you Britt. Blessings to all. Montanna