Creating A Home for Every Heart
Supporting LGBTQ+ and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Calvary Women’s Services is dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness as women year-round. Pride Month provides an important reminder of the ways we can rally around LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming individuals who are disproportionately impacted by homelessness.
Here are three important things you need to know about how homelessness impacts members of the LGBTQ+ community:
- 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ adults experience housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, leading to denial, mistreatment, or eviction.
- LGBTQ+ adults are more likely to experience housing instability due to low incomes, higher poverty rates, and limited inclusive-housing opportunities.
- LGBTQ+ youth and young adults have a 120% higher risk of experiencing homelessness, which is often the cause of family rejection or discrimination due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
What can you do to make sure members of the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing homelessness have access to the support they need? Here are a few suggestions:
Stay informed about challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community are facing—especially when it comes to homelessness, mental health conditions, and other things that disproportionately impact them.
Provide opportunities for all those you interact with to share preferred names and pronouns and use them consistently and correctly!
Create a safe, inclusive space for all individuals to express their needs and concerns without fear of discrimination or rejection. Remember, you never know what challenges someone is facing!
Sign up to volunteer at an organization that provides housing to LGBTQ+ individuals. Making meals or donating essential items are simple ways to make an immediate impact.
To further support members of the LGBTQ+ community who are experiencing homelessness, we invite you to give to Calvary here or check out the following organizations: