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.