Homelessness among 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
La version française de ce billet se trouve ici.
I’m writing an open access textbook on homelessness and have just released Chapter 11, focusing on homelessness experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. The PDF version of the full chapter is available here.
Here are 10 things to know:
1. 2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym. It represents two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities (with the “2S” representing ‘two-spirit,’ thereby acknowledging differences in Indigenous communities).[1]
2. 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals face considerable discrimination and vulnerability to homelessness. As a result, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons are overrepresented in the homeless population, and the extent of this phenomenon is typically underreported.
3. Identity-based family rejection resulting from a young person coming out as 2SLGBTQIA+ is the leading cause of homelessness among 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. This can lead to lower self-esteem, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of illicit substances, risky sexual behaviour, and even suicide. In some cases, family suddenly ceases to be a place of support or refuge. This may lead to youth going into the care of child protection.
4. Involvement with child protection—including foster care and group homes—is not always positive and can result in its own trauma. It is well known that transitions from child protection into independent living can be very challenging and lead to youth homelessness.
5. Private landlords can be choosy about whom to rent to in general, and homophobic and transphobic landlords will be less inclined to rent to a tenant they perceive to be queer or trans. This is an especially big challenge when the local rental vacancy rate is low. A large US study spanning 50 metropolitan areas found that “same-sex couples receive significantly fewer responses to e-mail inquiries about advertised units than heterosexual couples.”
6. Some 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals’ social relationships are negatively impacted after coming out. In some cases, a friend who was a source of strength and support for years no longer serves that function. Experiences of stigma can also extend beyond personal relationships; some 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals encounter harassment and discrimination within their neighbourhoods and broader communities.
7. In the face of discrimination—from employers, coworkers, family, and friends—2SLGBTQIA+ persons often struggle both in the labour market and with social supports. The added difficulty of not having a stable or fixed address makes it difficult to secure formal employment, and not having government-issued identification that corresponds with a person’s appearance or the name they go by is another added struggle that trans and gender-diverse people may experience. In some cases, this can lead to survival sex.
8. Emergency shelters typically have male areas and female areas (as well as gendered washrooms and showers). Even many well-meaning staff may be oblivious to dynamics between residents, meaning that some clients face discrimination from both staff and other residents. Showering and simply using the bathroom can pose safety risks.
9. Shelters served by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ persons are very important—perhaps especially for non-binary, gender non-conforming persons. And since most emergency shelters tend to focus mostly on evening and nighttime access, inclusive spaces must also be offered during daytime hours. Daytime facilities might focus more on programming (e.g., housing searches, income assistance advocacy, employment support, and referrals to other supports located in the local community).
10. Peer-led initiatives serve important functions. Organically-created communities of support are crucial—e.g., trans people helping trans people. Mutual aid should be acknowledged and celebrated. Groups need to be able to come together to share their circumstances.
In sum. This is a summary of Chapter 11 of a sole-authored, open access interdisciplinary textbook intended to provide an introduction to homelessness for students, service providers, researchers, policy-makers and advocates. All material for this book is available free of charge here. Newly completed chapters will be uploaded throughout the year.
I wish to thank Jenny Morrow and Annick Torfs for assistance with this blog post.
[1] ‘Queer and trans people’ is sometimes used interchangeably with ‘2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.’
