out on my own



Understanding the Experiences and Needs of Homeless
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth

L G B T   Y O U T H   H O M E L E S S N E S S   R E P O R T

 

This ground-breaking research by Hove YMCA & the University of Brighton investigated the needs and experiences of LGBT homeless youth in Brighton & Hove. The report's authors, Mark Cull, Hazel Platzer and Sue Balloch, make a series of recommendations about how local and national services can be improved, and call for prevention and specialist accommodation for homeless LGBT youth.
          download the Out On My Own report:

full report: 
summary: 
word • pdf
word • pdf
“The launch of the research report has been timely with the City currently developing the new Children and Young Peoples Trust and Youth Homeless Strategy" said one of the report's authors, Mark Cull of Hove YMCA. "The report should raise awareness amongst service providers and help them identify how they can support LGBT young people more effectively. I particularly hope that schools will respond to the recommendations as we have found that schools generally are not inclusive or safe places for LGBT young people and that their negative experiences in schools are a contributory factor to their later homelessness”.

"Spectrum will seek to ensure that these key findings find their way into local housing, health and education strategies" said Spectrum's Coordinator, Arthur Law, "For too long, local services have been failing many LGBT young people"


some voices from Out On My Own

“I went when I was 16 because of the physical violence from my parents...
They made it quite clear that they would kick me out if they found out I
was a lesbian. I knew I couldn’t hide it forever and it would have been
worse if they just kicked me out when I was unprepared – at least I was
in control by leaving when I did”
Heather


“I want to be able to be myself – an LGBT only hostel would be good
because I would be able to talk about my own experience”
Abdul


"There’s not many people you can talk to - young lesbian and gay people
need older lesbian and gay people around them to show you the ropes
and show you how to be yourself and not to have to put on a front"
Tina


“I’ve been called gay ever since I can remember
and with the bullying the gay thing really haunted me”
Dan

OTHER DOWNLOADS & LINKS
B&HCC Youth Homelessness Strategy consultation
B&HCC Youth Homelessness Strategy (413kb)
B&HCC YHS consultation questionnaire (134kb)

LGBT Community Strategy: Housing
Stonewall Housing
Allsorts Youth Project
 

22 June 2006