Walk for Homeless GLBT Youth

Are you out to your parents? Did they react badly?

Thousands of youth every year are abused, kicked out, or run away from home which is certainly contributed to by their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

In recent studies, it has been detailed that up to 42% of youth living on the streets self identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

In addition to the need of GLBT youth for services regarding their basic housing, education, and emotional requirements, most agencies that work with homeless populations are faith based (almost all of them- especially locally)- including all of the shelters that serve single individuals.

Faith based shelters mean hours of bible study a day, and mandatory church, as well as homophobic and anti-gay policies and beliefs.

These shelters only help youth over the age of 18. Those under 18 can either be returned to parents, or put in foster care or group homes- which may also be hostile.

In addition to these FACTS- the current federal administration is cutting the delegation of funds to non-faith based initiatives.

So what can you do? There is a homeless walk in Indianapolis on April 18th- just a few weeks away. There are ways to earmark funds that will benefit Indiana Youth Group (a group that does serve GLBT homeless youth and helps them to navigate the bureaucracy of social services and find other housing services)- as well as actually participating in the walk. I urge you to do something! Donate funds, or give up an afternoon of your time, anything is helpful

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at or check out the Homeless Walks website at www.homelesswalks.org, where you can check out the Indiana Youth Group link. Thanks!