Conversation With A Gay Homeless Youth

Homelessness, in addition to Depression, Suicide, Drug Use and HIV/STD infection, are issues that Gay Youth face at a rate two times higher than their heterosexual peers. I talk about these experiences with Johnny Sabat, a gay youth, who has faced the issue of homelessness along with other disparities related to being a gay youth. Along with this are the statistics:

HOMELESSNESS

According to a 2006 report, between 20 and 40 percent of homeless youth in the US identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. 26% of LGBT youth who come out to their parents are told to leave home. Many also report experiencing abuse both from family members and in shelters. (Ray, N. (2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. New York: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute and the National Coalition for the Homeless. )

65% of 400 homeless LGBTQ youth report having been in a child welfare placement at some point in the past. (Berberet, H. (2006). Putting the pieces together for queer youth: a model of integrated assessment of need and program planning. Child Welfare Jounral. Vol. 85, No.2, 2006.)
26% of gay youth are forced to leave home because of conflicts with their families over their sexual identities. (Remafedi, G. (1987). Homosexuality: the adolescent's perspective. Pediatrics, 79, 326-330.)

Up to half of the gay or bisexual men forced from their homes engage in prostitution to support themselves, greatly increasing their risk for HIV infection. (Savin-Williams, R. C. (1988). Theoretical perspectives for accounting for adolescent homosexuality. Journal of adolescent health care, 9 (2), 95-104.)

Half of a sampling of gay and lesbian young people in out-of-home care reported having been homeless at some point in the past. (Mallon, Gerald, P. (1998). We don't exactly get the welcome wagon: the experiences of gay and lesbian adolescents in the child welfare systems. Columbia University Press.)

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[darveece]

"Brotha".. "Please" improve your lighting and oil control!!. "Thankyou".

[sampson247]

@darveece LOL. I'll make sure I'm FABULOUS from now on, just for you. I had thrown a diva fit and fired the staff, we'll have new ones on the next video!!!!

[The10111123]

you're such an ambassador

[sampson247]

@The10111123 We all are, if we realize the LOVE that lives inside us ALL :)

[candyazz28]

Thank you for sharing. I was also a homeless gay youth when I was younger and I found this story very realistic. Being homeless is hard as hell, but then facing homophobia and homeless is insurmountable hell. Especially for transgender. It all depends on Location, people, and things.

[sampson247]

@candyazz28 I'm glad that you made it. Through all of that, there is still a winner in YOU!!!

[lktolaff]

This vid struck me. I'm dealing with a similar situation dealing with abandonment of a parent. I've come to realize that a lot of my depression and anger came from my " Mourning" a relationship with my mother , that I thought I should have had, not the one I actually had.

[msscott73]

Thank you brother for sharing. God bless 100 fold.

[MrStarstruck404]

@darveece YES for oil control LMAO

[TheXikireus]

this is a great video.i love it alot.your doing a great job.keep it up.

[didithejanetfan13]

@sampson247 Yes, thank you so much!! I appreciate it.

[sampson247]

@didithejanetfan13 WOW. And I am GLAD that you are doing okay. Praises to our protector!!! You are a champion. And I will keep you in my prayers, thoughts and best wishes. Keep smiling, and keep being a CHAMPION!!!! :)

[didithejanetfan13]

LGBT related issues are not talked about in Black families. It's ignored and denied. When it does come up it can turn into an argument or anything worse. I've been through it many times seeing as how I identify as pansexual and many people don't know what it means and don't want understand it. And also the fact that I'm dating an FTM whom my mom doesn't know is an FTM and doesn't like him. My situation's getting better. I'm grateful that I didn't get kicked out, though now I'm legally an adult.