LGBTQ Youth: High Risk of Homelessness and Incarceration

LGBTQ youth are at greater risk of homelessness and incarceration
This research expands on the dire issue of LGBTQ youth homelessness and the racial disparities within this population. The detrimental effects of homelessness and incarceration on people’s physical and mental health, relationships, and social and economic prospects are immense. Experiencing these realities as a young person will likely have harmful effects that last a lifetime. When I wonder why this issue is not being addressed a few explanations arise. First, these youth have no political capital because they are homeless and, thus, generally lack time to meet with and sway the opinion of their elected officials. Second, the racist, homophobic structures that prop up the white, heterosexual status-quo continue to thrive when LGBTQ youth and youth of color are disenfranchised from an early age.