Houston LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness on the rise, activists say
HOUSTON - The number of LGBTQ+ youth who are homeless in Houston is on the rise, according to Kennedy Lofton of the Montrose Center.
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The Montrose Center is a non-profit organization that provides services to the LGBTQ+ community in Houston.
Lofton says that 25% of homeless youth in Houston identify as LGBTQ+, even though only 7% of the general population does. National numbers show an LGBTQ+ homeless youth population of 40%.
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He attributes this to the fact that many LGBTQ+ youth are kicked out of their homes after coming out to their families.
"When I came back to Houston, I was asked to leave my parents," Lofton said. "They really struggled with my sexuality. When I came back to Houston, there wasn't really a place for me here."
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Lofton says that homeless LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to experience drug use, sex work, and violence than their straight peers. They are also less likely to get the education and healthcare they need.
The center has helped to house over 300 LGBTQ+ youth ages 18 to 24 through major funding from Super Bowl 2017 and singer and advocate Lady Gaga.
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However, Lofton says that there is still a growing population of homeless youth under the age of 18 who are invisible and difficult to track.
"We haven't statistically ended youth homelessness," Lofton said. "But according to the Coalition for the Homeless, we have taken 26,000 homeless individuals off the streets of Houston. So in the context of Houston doing a great job for adults, and youth 18 to 24, there is still this group of youth, and that is growing in our community."
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The Montrose Center is funded by a variety of sources, including government grants, private donations, and corporate sponsorships. The center is committed to providing comprehensive and affordable services to the LGBTQ+ community in Houston.
Lofton is calling for more funding and resources to help homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Houston. He says that these young people need safe and supportive housing, as well as access to education, healthcare, and mental health services.
"Until we can really address that, we can't really be the empowered community that we want to be," Lofton said.
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Often partnering with The Montrose Center is The Montrose Grace Place. The organization provides an evening drop-in center that serves youth and young adults experiencing homelessness. The majority of who they serve are members of the LGBTQ community. Participants are provided free meals, clothing, bus fare, basic toiletries, and HIV/STI testing. They're currently serving over 200 youth and have a direct mentorship program.
"We literally eat dinner together and pass the peas," says Executive Director Courtney Sellers. "We go outside and take a break together, we come back in and do our activity together. So it's really just about creating healthy relationships."
Sellers says having an affirming place to go can also help with the growing rate of suicide and attempted suicide among LGBTQ youth.
"It's really difficult for youth to succeed if they don't think anybody is there in their corner," says Sellers. "Basic needs are so important. You have to eat, you have to be able to get to your job. So I think the way that we do things is just really special."