Free Help for LGBT Youth

LBGT community Youth Assistance.  LBGT Youth, just like many young people, needs help and support.    They are more vulnerable and prone to homelessness than their “straight” counterparts.  The National Institutes of Health reports that in Boston alone, this is a growing problem.  The average age of these teens is between 12 to be 24 years old.  

Our Children Our Community

However, these young people are essential to our community and need assistance and protection.  There are so many tragic stories of how these children suffered at the hands of a so-called civilized society.

They suffer torment and severe bullying from a classmate, often leading them to drop out of school.  Usually, the abuse stems from family problems or rejection of their lifestyle.  This forces them to flee to a safer environment. 

Why LBGT Youth are Vulnerable

This community of teens also needs our protection. That is to say, we have seen these young people subject to teasing, bullying, and hate crimes, just because of their sexual orientation.  We must ensure no one mistreats a child, regardless of who they choose to be.

While these teens are on the streets or homeless, they are vulnerable to abuse and neglect in illegal activities to survive.  Some LGBT youth don’t trust adults and will form their family peer structure. 

The victimization of these young people adds to emotional trauma, addiction, and sexual exploitation.  In some cases, this homelessness is permanent, while there are many cases where these homeless youth return home or move in with relatives until adulthood.

Helping LBGT Youth

If we are to help these children, early intervention and prevention is the place to begin.  They are no longer in the shadows but essential to our society!  They are our children, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Acceptance is what these young people need and deserve, not mere tolerance.  These young people need 

Assistance Available to LBGT Community

• Support for mental – Dealing with mental health issues is extremely important if LBGT teens mature and live productive lives.
• Family counseling – Family counseling assists with bringing the family into treatment to work with the immediate or extended family to create a safe environment where the child can return.
• Provide health care – Health care will address any child’s medical issues stemming from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Addiction recovery – Addiction recovery programs help with safe detox, rehab, and addiction counseling.
• Provide safe housing – If the child can not or will not return home, help with safe fostering, transitional housing, or placement in a stable home with a relative is encouraged.
• Financial assistance, housing, scholarships.
• Finding your place in the workforce.  LGBTQ Students Guide to Getting Hired.

Youth Assistance Resources 

• National Youth Talk Line  – 1-800-246-7743
• Crisis Intervention –  Chat online or by phone:  1-866-488-7386
• Safe Place – National program addressing LGBT youth runaway, secure environment, and housing programs.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health –  This is a student action group, antibullying support and help for families.
• Bullying and LGBT Youth – StopBullying.gov. – Finding strategies to help LGBT youth and adults experiencing harassment or bullying.  Providing a safe environment for youth, know your rights.
• Advocates for Youth –  A one-point youth assistance resource for LBGT youth.  A collection of videos and websites where young people find information and help. 

Other Resources

• LGBT Youth.gov – Child welfare, homelessness and housing, juvenile justice, events, and celebrations.
• LGBT Youth Resources –  A list of the national organization on the rights, health, and protection of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth.
• The Alliance for GLBT Youth – Provide prevention and intervention for this community and partner with other Miami agencies to support GLBGTcommunity as well as youth.  They also organize educational programs to promote understanding and acceptance by the straight community.