The Devastating Price of Honesty: Gay, Poor & Homeless

Abstract

Faced with intense discrimination from their peers, families, and teachers, many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) students dropout of school or are kicked out of their homes. As such, LGBT youth are overrepresented in the homeless population, comprising 20-40% of homeless youth. They face a unique set of challenges with very little support. My research is an ethnographic study of New York City based LGBTQ homeless youth and the methods they use to adjust to their poverty and limited resources. Social services are failing them, and as adults, this presents long term financial consequences and limitations in their employment and financial stability. More support focused on their unique problems, and making sure this population accesses them, will greatly increase their opportunities in the future.