Providing Solutions to LGBT Homeless Youth: Lessons From Baltimore's Youth Empowered Society. (2nd November 2018) - Dolamore, Stephanie
Abstract : In the United States, nearly 1.7 million youth under the age of 18 run away from home and often end up homeless each year. Reports estimate that between 20% and 40% of the runaway and homeless youth population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) (Durso & Gates, 2012 ; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014 ). This suggests that as many as 80, 000 LGBT youth are homeless for over a week each year (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2012 ). In addition, LGBT youth are more likely to suffer from poverty, substance abuse, violence, mental illness, and attempted suicide as a result of harassment and discrimination (Cray, Miller, & Durso, 2013 ; Kaiser Family Foundation, 2014 ; Swan, 2014 ). Grounded in social equity theory (Frederickson, 2010 ) and intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991 ), this article argues that additional legal protections are necessary in order to ensure the constitutional rights of LGBT youth. A case study of the Youth Empowered Society (YES) in Baltimore City is provided as an example of a service-delivery model for this vulnerable population. Best practices are identified and anti-discrimination policies are recommended.