LGBTQ youth represent as much as 40% of the homeless youth population. This discussion will address both how queer young people can try to prepare themselves if they fear their parents or guardians might kick them out if they came out or were outed, and what rights and options they have if they have already been expelled from their homes. National Safe Place is a good resource to start with if being unhoused is a concern.
Presentation Slides
Resources Mentioned
True Colors (National non-profit focused on LGBTQ youth homelessness)
How to Pack an Emergency Go Bag for Home Evacuations (Article)
The SAFE Alliance (Austin, TX non-profit for survivors of abuse)
Out Youth (Austin, TX non-profit for LGBTQ+ youth)
Dallas Hope Charities (Dallas, TX non-profit for unhoused and food insecure folks)
Dune's Safe Place (Dallas, TX shelter for LGBTQ+ youth)
Out Last (Dallas, TX resources for LGBTQ+ youth)
Promise House (Dallas, TX shelter for unhoused youth)
Center for Children (El Paso, TX non-profit with resources for youth)
Borderland Rainbow Center (El Paso, TX non-profit and LGBTQ+ community space)
Tony's Place (Houston, TX non-profit for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth)
Hatch Youth (Houston, TX non-profit for LGBTQ+ youth)
Montrose Grace Place (Houston, TX non-profit for unhoused youth)
Covenant House Texas (Houston, TX non-profit for unhoused youth)
Open Gate (Houston, TX non-profit for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth)
Thrive Youth Center (San Antonio, TX non-profit for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth)
Fiesta Youth (San Antonio, TX non-profit for LGBTQ+ youth)
The Center (San Antonio, TX non-profit for LGBTQ+ youth)
The Trevor Project (Mental health resources for LGBTQ+ youth)
National Safe Place (National organization for teens in crisis)
National Runaway Safeline (Hotline for runaway and unhoused youth)
It Gets Better Project (Hotline for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis)
Trans Lifeline (Peer support network for trans and questioning folks)
The LGBT National Help Center (Peer support network for LGBTQ+ folks)
National Center for Transgender Equality (Advocacy organization for trans folks)
National Coalition for the Homeless (Organization with resources for unhoused and at-risk folks)
211/United Way (Texas program to connect folks with local resources)
Aunt Bertha (Network of various free and reduced-cost social services)
LGBT National Youth Helpline (Peer support talkline for LGBTQ+ folks aged 25 and younger)
Trans Lifeline Microgrants (Organization providing funds to cover the cost of changing one’s name or gender marker)
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Statute affirming unhoused youths’ right to education)
Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (Resources surrounding the education of unhoused youth)
Project HELP (Austin ISD resources for unhoused students)
Paw Fund (Berkeley, CA organization providing free and low-cost vet services)
Emancipet (TX and PA network of free and low-cost vet clinics)
The Bridge Collective (TX organization that assists with access to abortion care)
ACCESS (CA organization that assists with access to reproductive healthcare)
Cicada Collective (North TX organization that assists with access to abortion care)
Frontera Fund (Rio Grande Valley, TX organization that assists with funding for abortions)
CASN (Houston, TX organization that assists with access to abortion care)
Jane's Due Process (TX organization that helps young people access reproductive healthcare)
Homeless Prenatal (San Francisco, CA organization that helps unhoused folks access prenatal care)
Milk Bank (Austin, TX milk bank)
National Diaper Network (National organization that provides diapers to folks in need)
Q&T Community Closet (Austin, TX organization that provides clothes, hygiene items, bus passes, and more to queer and trans folks)
Oakland LGBTQ Center (Oakland, CA organization for LGBTQ+ folks)
ALLGO (Austin, TX non-profit for QTPOC)
Austin Black Pride (Austin, TX Black pride organization)
Virtual Drop-In (Virtual space for LGBTQ+ youth)