Various sources have found that between 30 and 43 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT. This PDF probably says it best:
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals represent between five and ten percent of the general youth population, yet they make up 15 to 25 percent of the homeless youth population. Percentages are even higher in certain communities known to offer support and services to the LGBTQ community, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, where LGBTQ youth represent up to 40 percent of the homeless youth population.
This group of individuals faces special problems in trying to access services. Housing and homelessness is an especially big problem for transgender individuals.
This article lists the two following LGBT homeless youth resources:
Ali Forney Center "Our goal is to provide homeless LGBTQ youths, aged 16-24, with the support and services they need to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives." Located in New York. They have a drop in center and you can find info on their services here.
Lost-N-Found Youth "Lost-n-Found Youth assists homeless youth from 13 – 25 in stabilizing their lives, including preparing them for permanent housing and stable employment. In addition, LNFY is Atlanta’s leading non-profit with the specialized expertise on and dedication to the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth and we take a special responsibility to ensuring their well-being." Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
I also found this general LGBT resource for California:
California Department of Health: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resources
My personal thoughts:
My observation has been that larger cities are generally a better place to be homeless due to access to homeless resources generally and the ability to get somewhat lost in the crowd and not stand out too much. It also seems that big cities are generally more tolerant of diversity, including LGBTQ individuals.
If you can figure out how to make money online, this is a tremendous opportunity that can help you make your life work. It is much easier to make your sexual and gender identity a non issue if you do freelance work online.
If you are LGBTQ and wondering whether my thoughts have any value: I test high for bisexual traits on psychological exams and had more girlfriends than boyfriends in my teens, but I have lived as a heterosexual for all intents and purposes for more than 30 years. I am generally assumed to be hetero by most people as I am accurately perceived as a "devoted mother."
So while this isn't a non-issue for me, it generally isn't a big issue for me either, as far as I can tell. I mostly try to make sure that men who are hoping to sleep with me know up front or early in the relationship so as to try to prevent drama.
I also gave some support to a trans youth at one time and they found online work and that was helpful to them. One of the benefits of online work is that it is portable. This can allow you to pick up and leave if things get too problematic on the ground without losing your income.
I have portable income and have done exactly that at times. Even though I still do not have a middle class income, being able to move elsewhere and take my income with me has been a real sweet deal for me. I believe income portability will play a key role in ultimately helping me get off the street at some point.
If you are trying to find resources in your area, this PDF has the following listing of LGBT friendly organizations. I am putting it here in hopes it can help you find a place to start:
Organizations Supporting the Dissemination of the National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth
Ali Forney Center, New York, NY
The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia, PA
Avenues for Homeless Youth/GLBT Host Home Program, Minneapolis, MN
Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Support Project of Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Inc., Brockton, MA Green Chimneys Children’s Services, NYC Programs, New York, NY
Larkin Street Youth Center, San Francisco, CA
Latin American Youth Center, Washington, DC
Metropolitan Community Churches, Global Justice Ministries, New York, NY
Metropolitan Community Churches, Homeless Youth Services, New York, NY
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Milwaukee, WI
National Black Justice Coalition, Washington, DC
San Diego Youth Services, San Diego, CA
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League, Washington, DC
Sylvia Rivera Law Project, New York, NY
Teen Living Programs, Chicago, IL
Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc., Washington, DC
Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Walden Family Services, Inc., San Diego, CA
YouthCare, Seattle, WA
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals represent between five and ten percent of the general youth population, yet they make up 15 to 25 percent of the homeless youth population. Percentages are even higher in certain communities known to offer support and services to the LGBTQ community, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, where LGBTQ youth represent up to 40 percent of the homeless youth population.
This group of individuals faces special problems in trying to access services. Housing and homelessness is an especially big problem for transgender individuals.
This article lists the two following LGBT homeless youth resources:
Ali Forney Center "Our goal is to provide homeless LGBTQ youths, aged 16-24, with the support and services they need to escape the streets and begin to live healthy and independent lives." Located in New York. They have a drop in center and you can find info on their services here.
Lost-N-Found Youth "Lost-n-Found Youth assists homeless youth from 13 – 25 in stabilizing their lives, including preparing them for permanent housing and stable employment. In addition, LNFY is Atlanta’s leading non-profit with the specialized expertise on and dedication to the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth and we take a special responsibility to ensuring their well-being." Located in Atlanta, Georgia.
I also found this general LGBT resource for California:
California Department of Health: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Resources
My personal thoughts:
My observation has been that larger cities are generally a better place to be homeless due to access to homeless resources generally and the ability to get somewhat lost in the crowd and not stand out too much. It also seems that big cities are generally more tolerant of diversity, including LGBTQ individuals.
If you can figure out how to make money online, this is a tremendous opportunity that can help you make your life work. It is much easier to make your sexual and gender identity a non issue if you do freelance work online.
If you are LGBTQ and wondering whether my thoughts have any value: I test high for bisexual traits on psychological exams and had more girlfriends than boyfriends in my teens, but I have lived as a heterosexual for all intents and purposes for more than 30 years. I am generally assumed to be hetero by most people as I am accurately perceived as a "devoted mother."
So while this isn't a non-issue for me, it generally isn't a big issue for me either, as far as I can tell. I mostly try to make sure that men who are hoping to sleep with me know up front or early in the relationship so as to try to prevent drama.
I also gave some support to a trans youth at one time and they found online work and that was helpful to them. One of the benefits of online work is that it is portable. This can allow you to pick up and leave if things get too problematic on the ground without losing your income.
I have portable income and have done exactly that at times. Even though I still do not have a middle class income, being able to move elsewhere and take my income with me has been a real sweet deal for me. I believe income portability will play a key role in ultimately helping me get off the street at some point.
If you are trying to find resources in your area, this PDF has the following listing of LGBT friendly organizations. I am putting it here in hopes it can help you find a place to start:
Organizations Supporting the Dissemination of the National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth
Ali Forney Center, New York, NY
The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia, PA
Avenues for Homeless Youth/GLBT Host Home Program, Minneapolis, MN
Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth Support Project of Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Inc., Brockton, MA Green Chimneys Children’s Services, NYC Programs, New York, NY
Larkin Street Youth Center, San Francisco, CA
Latin American Youth Center, Washington, DC
Metropolitan Community Churches, Global Justice Ministries, New York, NY
Metropolitan Community Churches, Homeless Youth Services, New York, NY
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, Milwaukee, WI
National Black Justice Coalition, Washington, DC
San Diego Youth Services, San Diego, CA
Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League, Washington, DC
Sylvia Rivera Law Project, New York, NY
Teen Living Programs, Chicago, IL
Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc., Washington, DC
Utah Pride Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Walden Family Services, Inc., San Diego, CA
YouthCare, Seattle, WA