A new study shows one out of four gay or lesbian teenagers are homeless. The study done by the Children’s Hospital Boston further shows homosexual teens are less likely to be accompanied by an adult than their heterosexual counterparts.
“Prior studies in homeless street youth have found that sexual minorities occur in much higher numbers than we’d expect based on their numbers in the community in general,” says Heather Corliss, PhD, MPH, of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children’s, the study’s first author. “This study looked at the magnitude of the difference for the first time.”
The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, found the alarming statistics through two years of questionnaires.
“Rates of homelessness were 3.2 percent among exclusively heterosexual students, 12.5 percent among heterosexuals reporting same-sex partners, 15 percent among bisexuals, 25 percent among lesbian/gay students, and 20 percent among students who said they were unsure of their sexual orientation,” Corliss said.
Researchers believe homosexual students are more likely to be alienated at home and at school.
“Teens with a sexual minority orientation are more likely than heterosexual teens to be unaccompanied and homeless rather than part of a homeless family,” says Corliss. “This suggests that they may be more likely to be mistreated or rejected by their families and more likely to leave home.”
Corliss hopes the study sheds light on a topic that few want to talk about. “I hope it will raise awareness of the vulnerability of GLB youth to homelessness, particularly among school administrators and other professionals working with adolescents.”
Because homeless teens are more likely to engage in risky behavior, Corliss says it is a problem that needs to be addressed now.
“The high risk of homelessness among sexual minority teens is a serious problem requiring immediate attention,” says Corliss. “These teens face enormous risks and all types of obstacles to succeeding in school and are in need of a great deal of assistance.”
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