1 in 4 Gay/Lesbian High School Students are Homeless

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/1-in-4-gaylesbian-high-school-students-are-homeless-125970873.html

Among homeless teens, GLB teens are more likely to live away from their families

BOSTON, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Roughly 1 in 4 lesbian or gay teens and 15 percent of bisexual teens are homeless, versus 3 percent of exclusively heterosexual teens, finds a Children's Hospital Boston study of more than 6,300 Massachusetts public high school students. Moreover, among teens who were homeless, those who were gay, lesbian or bisexual (GLB) were consistently more likely than heterosexuals to be on their own, unaccompanied by a parent or guardian.

The study, published online July 21 by the American Journal of Public Health, is the first to quantify the risk of homelessness among teens of different sexual orientations with population-based data. "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, Ph.D., 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."

Corliss and colleagues analyzed data from the 2005 and 2007 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS). The YRBS, conducted every other year in most U.S. states, draws a representative sample of students in grades 9 through 12. In 2005, Massachusetts was the first state to add a multiple-choice question assessing homeless status, asking "What is your primary nighttime residence?" or "Where do you typically sleep at night?" Homelessness was defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, as per the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act, the primary federal legislation dealing with the education of homeless children and youth in U.S. public schools.

The initial sample of 6,653 students was narrowed to 6,317 who gave full information on their sexual orientation and homelessness status. Less than 5 percent of students overall identified themselves as GLB, yet they accounted for 19 percent of those who identified themselves as homeless.

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.

[CTyankee]

1. This is shocking and it is sad.

What a terrible fate for these kids who did no harm to anyone. I cannot believe how coarse and unfeeling our society is...

[RetiredTrotskyite]

6. And What the Hell...

kind of parent abuses or throws their own child out on the street because he or she is GLBT? Disgusting!

[provis99]

2. I wonder how many of these parents call themselves Christian?

[RKP5637]

3. They will say god works in mysterious ways, the typical stupid

rationalism. I hate the F'en christian religion more and more each day.

[RKP5637]

4. Recommend !!! n/t

[Zorra]

5. "12.5 percent among heterosexuals reporting same-sex partners,"

What am I not getting about this?

Could someone please enlighten me if they get it?

Heterosexuals with same sex partners - isn't that like bisexual?

[plantwomyn]

7. Many homeless kids

end up selling themselves to eat. Young straight guys get into prostitution just like young straight girls. Some of those girls many be lesbians but they make money with opposite sex partners. Some of the guys are straight but they make money with same sex partners.

[lightningandsnow]

8. Sexuality is fluid.

Just as just because someone slept with someone of the other gender once doesn't make them straight, sleeping with someone of the same gender doesn't make them gay.

Identity doesn't always translate to behaviour.

[lightningandsnow]

9. I recall that the number is astronomically higher for trans youth.

Sad all around.