TY - JOUR
T1 - The need for safe spaces
T2 - Exploring the experiences of homeless LGBTQ youth in shelters
AU - Coolhart, Deborah
AU - Brown, Maria T.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2017/11
Y1 - 2017/11
N2 - Studies indicate LGBTQ youth are at higher risk of homelessness (2–13 times) than their heterosexual cisgender counterparts and that they represent a substantial portion of youth utilizing housing and shelter services. Some authors have provided anecdotal (rather than empirical) examples of LGBTQ youth experiencing abuse or mistreatment in shelters; most studies focusing on LGBTQ homeless youth have been conducted in large cities and have rarely collected data from both youth and providers. Using an exploratory, grounded theory approach, this study utilized data from interviews with LGBTQ youth with a history of homelessness as well as service providers working with this population in a mid-sized Northeastern city. Findings suggest youth experience multiple challenges, barriers, and mistreatment in the shelters; further, data suggests several ideas about how to transform shelters to better meet the needs of LGBTQ youth.
AB - Studies indicate LGBTQ youth are at higher risk of homelessness (2–13 times) than their heterosexual cisgender counterparts and that they represent a substantial portion of youth utilizing housing and shelter services. Some authors have provided anecdotal (rather than empirical) examples of LGBTQ youth experiencing abuse or mistreatment in shelters; most studies focusing on LGBTQ homeless youth have been conducted in large cities and have rarely collected data from both youth and providers. Using an exploratory, grounded theory approach, this study utilized data from interviews with LGBTQ youth with a history of homelessness as well as service providers working with this population in a mid-sized Northeastern city. Findings suggest youth experience multiple challenges, barriers, and mistreatment in the shelters; further, data suggests several ideas about how to transform shelters to better meet the needs of LGBTQ youth.
KW - Homelessness
KW - LGBTQ youth
KW - Shelters
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85033704342&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85033704342&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.021
DO - 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.021
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85033704342
SN - 0190-7409
VL - 82
SP - 230
EP - 238
JO - Children and Youth Services Review
JF - Children and Youth Services Review
ER -