A few weeks ago Helen Boyd linked to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's report on homeless LGBT youth. It's pretty sobering. From the summary:
Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American youth, between 20 and 40 percent identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).
Why do LGBT youth become homeless? In one study, 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents/guardians were told they must leave home; LGBT youth also leave home due to physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Homeless LGBT youth are more likely to: use drugs, participate in sex work, and attempt suicide. Also, LGBT youth report they are threatened, belittled and abused at shelters by staff as well as other residents.
A few days ago, she mentioned that Congress is ignoring the high percentage of LGBT teens among homeless youth. She quotes Jason Cianciotto who says that "the Congressional Research Services ... report on youth homelessless in the US ... did not include a single mention of LBGT youth."
Things like this make it apparent how reluctant our government is to address hatred of members of the queer community. If they really were supporting family values, wouldn't they be working to keep these families together?
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