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Large numbers of homeless youth are LGBT
Filed under: Gay Parenting
According to a new study, somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of homeless kids identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). This is a noticeably higher percentage than the general population. So why is this? A big part of the problem is the ostracization that these kids so often face, even at home from their own families. One study found that 26 percent of gay teens who came out to their parents were actually told to leave home. That is one amazingly sad statistic. It also explains why one group actually ran an advertising campaign aimed at parents of LGBT kids.Unfortunately, these kids also face increased difficulties on the streets, with shelters not being very sheltering -- they report being threatened, belittled, and even abused by staff and other residents. It seems insane to me that someone would stop loving their kids simply because they were gay. With all the stuff my kids do to piss me off on a daily basis, sexual orientation seems so unimportant. If I can still love them after they do the things they do, what difference does it make who they fall in love with?
It's bad that there are homeless kids at all; it's insane that some are there because their parents didn't want them anymore. Kids are our most important and most valuable asset. Hopefully, given this report, something can be done to get these kids the help they need.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-02-2007 @ 4:19PM
Sharon said...My cousin is gay, and has lived in Europe his whole adult life. Our family is mostly all Southern Baptist (not my immediate family), and in their eyes, he is damned. His name is never mentioned, except by a couple of us, in whispers. I don't think his parents ever stopped loving him, and they kept in touch, but it was just too hard for him here.
I think any parent who stops loving their child just because they're homosexual doesn't deserve to be a parent. All I want for my kids is for them to be happy - they will always be my babies. It might be a little harder for my husband, but I think he would come around pretty quickly.
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2-03-2007 @ 12:41AM
Ann Adams said...Sharon, if you don't already know about it, here's an organization, in addition to the one that Roger mentioned, that might interest you.
http://www.pflag.org/
The initials stand for Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It's a support, educational, and activist group of which I'm a member. My youngest son, now in his early 30's, is gay. He and I were charter member of the chapter here.
I started to leave this post alone. I've said the same thing so many times. Oh well, one more time.
I too will never understand parents who disown their children over their sexual orientation or for that matter anything else.
I lived in San Francisco for 25 years and saw the result of these parents' actions first hand. In some few cases my son and I were able to help but we were bailing the ocean with a teaspoon. I'd hoped the shelters were helping but from what Roger says, that's not the case.
Some parents may not agree with their children's decisions and some may never understand homosexuality. It isn't necessary that they do. I don't agree with some of the choices my kids have made but I've never cut them out of my life and I've never stopped loving or being there for them.
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