Through a comprehensive review of the available academic research and professional literature, this report answers some basic questions, including why so many LGBT youth are becoming and remaining homeless. It includes information on the harassment and violence that many of these youth experience in the shelter system and summarizes research on critical problems affecting them, including mental health issues, substance abuse and risky sexual behavior. The report also analyzes the federal government’s response to youth homelessness, including the specific impact on LGBT homeless youth of increased federal funding for faith-based service providers. The authors also partnered with five social service agencies who have written sections that detail model programs they have developed to improve service delivery to LGBT homeless youth. Finally, the authors also include profiles of LGBT homeless youth, many of which were collected through focus groups conducted at service providers around the country and then conclude with a series of state-, federal- and practitioner-level policy recommendations that can help to curb this epidemic.
