LGBTQIA+ Needs in Temporary Living Communities

Abstract

Temporary Living Communities (TLCs) are one of the biggest providers of housing for LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, plus additional identities not listed in this acronym) folk, with LGBTQIA+ youth being the most likely demographic to identify as homeless. For brevity and clarity, this paper will refer to the LGBTQIA+ population by the word “queer” (although this term may appear offensive to some, many queer individuals have reclaimed this term as a way to take power away from their oppressors by making the meaning positive instead of negative. I will be using the positive version of this term as well in my paper). Previous studies have estimated between 11 and 40 percent of all homeless youth identify as queer (Ventimiglia, 2012; Cochran, Stewart, & Ginzler, 2002). However, this number is hard to define due to the lack of a nationwide study (Whitbeck, Chen, Hoyt, Tyler, & Johnson, 2004) and because many disadvantaged queer youth do not disclose their identities because of the stigma of identifying as queer and possibly not wanting to risk being outed to their peers (Berberet, 2006). I want to investigate this topic deeper by examining how TLCs in the United States affect queer youth and if they adequately support their transition to being functional members in their communities.