As much as we would like to believe that the discriminatory treatment of LGBTQ+ people has diminished in modern times, especially in progressive countries like Canada, we must remember that it hasn’t been too long since homosexuality was demedicalized and decriminalized. Discrimination against sexual minorities still prevails as suggested by the data from Statistics Canada: sexual minorities are violently victimized more often than their heterosexual counterparts. Similarly, such discrimination is also reflected in homelessness. According to a survey conducted in 2016, young people (aged 13-24) contribute to 20% of the Canadian homeless population, and of those, 29.5% identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community (Gaetz 6). This amount is almost as much as the contribution of Indigenous youth (30.6%) and is substantial considering that the LGBTQ+ community makes up a smaller population in Canada than the Indigenous community. The disproportionate representation of the homeless youth population by minorities suggests that there may be social factors causing this over-representation. This post focuses on sexual minorities, addressing the question, “what are the social causes behind LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, and what are the possible solutions to it?”
Many past researchers point out structural factors such as the disapproval of non-heteronormativity and non-cisnormativity in familial relationships caused by prejudices, as the primary cause of homelessness in LGBTQ+ youth (Gaetz 34). It is not surprising that most youths depend on their parents for financial support; during adolescence, it is difficult to find a stable source of income and obtain stable housing, in addition to the potential for financial illiteracy. Given this fact, it is predictable that LGBTQ+ youth will be financially (and emotionally) challenged if they leave their families, expecting a rejection of their identity, and forced evacuation should their sexual orientation be revealed. Support system failures are another major factor that contribute to LGBTQ+ youth’s homelessness (Gaetz 34). For instance, research shows that the foster care system fails to accommodate LGBTQ+ youth, despite them being over-represented in the system. LGBTQ+ youth experience prejudice-based discrimination at higher rates and have more frequent departures from their families as a result (Fraser). This was further exemplified by Feinstein et al.’s finding that 56% of LGBTQ+ foster youth felt safer sleeping on the streets than in their foster homes (Fraser). Similarly, LGBTQ+ youth homelessness can also be attributed to institutional failures at providing smooth transitions for the youth from institutional care to professional housing (Fraser). The foster care system fails to assure the youth that it is not necessary for them to leave their care when they become adults, and that they can apply to be housed as adults through a mature-level foster care program instead. The homelessness institutions often manifest heteronormativity and cisnormativity through their institutional policies (Fraser). Several of the youth have received biased treatments based on their gender identity or sexual orientation; for example, institutions segregated LGBTQ+ youth based on biological sex rather than self-identified gender and presumed heteronormativity and cisnormativity for individuals when filling out admission forms (Fraser).
There are three typical ways in which LGBTQ+ youth interact with homelessness agencies: conforming to agencies with heteronormative and cisnormative policies, resisting agencies with these policies, or getting recognition from agencies that are accepting LGBTQ+ youth (Côté). While conforming to these policies as a sexual minority may allow one to stay in the agency, it would also impose more stress on the individual on top of the stress coming from their parents’ unacceptance. In comparison, resisting such policies would most likely mean leaving the agency in lieu of standing up for their rights. Neither of the two results in the LGBTQ+ youth’s happiness. In fact, research has shown that the only solution that results in their happiness would be the creation or fostering of an LGBTQ+ specific homeless agency. I had the pleasure of interviewing Corey Wyness, a coordinator of an educational institution for sexual minorities at the University of Alberta, called the CHEW project. He described the CHEW project as an institution that strives “to create health, happiness and hope for queer and trans youth that face the area of poverty, mental health, homelessness” (Wyness). He described his role as a coordinator as “overseeing the whole project”, as well as dealing with “a lot of mental health and crisis intervention” (Wyness). When asked about how the CHEW project helps the struggling youth, Corey answered, “we have a drop-in center where young adults can come for basic needs like shower, food, and sleep” (Wyness). He added that “they can just hang out and have fun playing video games” (Wyness) indicating that the centre tries its best to create a friendly environment for the queer and trans youth, because they are aware of the importance of creating a sense of family. Although the centre serves its purpose by providing the youth with a memorable, happy experience, Corey mentioned that “a lot of our youth are homeless” (Wyness). He states that they are only “scratching the surface of all the kids out there who identify as queer and trans and are homeless” (Wyness), due to the limited resources for the homeless LGBTQ+ youth. He brought up that “the CHEW project is kind of the only one specific for queer and trans youth” (Wyness), although foruntately, other places are beginning to understand queer and trans youth better. In the end, he stated that “the whole system needs an overhaul” (Wyness) implying the importance of reducing heteronormativity and cisnormativity embedded in our society.
Actively informing others of homeless LGBTQ+ youth’s struggles is essential to effectively addressing the needs of the diverse homeless population that consists of many minority groups. As an individual that strives for the betterment of society, one should always vocalize the need for the disappearance of stigma against sexual minorities. I encourage anyone reading this to learn more about the CHEW project for themselves, and find ways to support the homeless LGBTQ+ youth by getting involved in their local communities.
Works Cited
Côté, Philippe-Benoit, and Martin Blais. “Between Resignation, Resistance and Recognition: A Qualitative Analysis of LGBTQ+ Youth Profiles of Homelessness Agencies Utilization.” Children and Youth Services Review, vol. 100, 2019, pp. 437–443., doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.03.024.
Fraser, Brodie, et al. “LGBTIQ+ Homelessness: A Review of the Literature.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 16, no. 15, 2019, p. 2677., doi:10.3390/ijerph16152677.
Gaetz, Stephen. “Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey.” Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey | The Homeless Hub, http://www.homelesshub.ca/YouthWithoutHome.
Wyness, Corey. “Homelessness in LGBTQ+ Youth.” 11 Jan. 2021.
Written by Erica Kim
Edited by Sara Assaf
Campus UNICEF 