Transgender Homelessness

Written By: Omar Raza | EEqual Content Creator

The odds that transgender youth experience homelessness is 10 times their cisgender counterparts. In addition to this, unhoused transgender youth are twice as likely to miss school and attempt suicide 3 times as much on average in comparison to cisgender youth. This information gathered from Schoolhouse Connection, a non-profit focused on gathering and presenting data about LGBT youth, highlights the rising concern about the disproportionate amount of youth homelessness experienced by transgender youth. 

A further study was done by the Journal of Adolescent Health in May of 2023. In their research, the journal found that of their data sample of around 3,194 transgender youth, around 22% stated that they were experiencing homelessness and were much more likely to be living directly on the street rather than other forms of unstable housing in comparison to cisgender teens. 

Reasons for the disproportionate levels of homelessness in this community range from inadequate awareness and general knowledge of transgender struggles, poor legislative protection, and rejection by peers, schools, and families. A large-scale solution seems difficult to impose but to combat these startling statistics, further cultural sensitivity training in schools and shelters is differently a start. Incorporating the history of LGBT, providing gender-neutral bathrooms, and creating a place of safety and productive dialogue could possibly remedy the mental struggles faced by transgender youth. It is important to remember that while there are definites in this problem, like the desperate need for increased training, everyone has their own individual story and path that are best understood when approached from a place of compassion and understanding. 

Source References:

https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(22)01002-3/fulltext

https://schoolhouseconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/YRBS-Part-III-Sexual-Orientation-and-Gender-Identity-Equity.pdf