LGBTQ Health Disparities Zine 2016 1 | Page 8

HOMELESSNESS Unfortunately, many LGBT adolescents face abuse and rejection at home. This propels us into the epidemic of homelessness and the queer population within it. Because many LGBT adolescents choose to leave or are forced out of their homes because of abuse, we see high rates of LGBT youth in our homeless population. According to the True Colors Fund, America has about 1.6 million youth that at some point are homeless, that’s only each year. Shockingly, 40% of homeless youth identify as part of the LGBT community (Our Issue). Homelessness leaves LGBT youth susceptible to a handful of social and health concerns such as (but not limited to) poverty, mental illness and substance abuse. (Ruth Ellis activist & entrepreneur. In Detroit there is a homeless shelter in her name for LGBTQ youth)