Homeless Youth Who Identify as Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning
106
Reported that they were lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender or questioning. (25%)
The following statistics provide information on the
characteristics, histories and risk behaviors for these youth.
Age 13-17
13%
Age 18-24
87%
49%
African
American
26%
White
10%
Hispanic
11%
30%
involved
55%
Transgender/
Something Else
18%
48%
Questioning/
Something Else
44%
with the juvenile
probation system
Lesbian/Gay
OF TRAUMA
43%
Physical Neglect
42%
39%
37%
Sexual Abuse
10 TYPES
Witnessed Domestic
Violence
35%
Reported a previous
episode of homelessness
69%
HH Member
Depression, Suicide
Emotional
Abuse
HH Member
Went to Prison
EXPERIENCES:
60%
63%
46%
CHILDHOOD
HH Member
Used Drugs
Aged out of foster
care
Emotional
Neglect
49%
22%
ADVERSE
Lost a Parent/Guardian
Bisexual
ASSESS
73%
Female
Multiracial
26%
reported they had been
Had been involved
in foster care at
some point
28%
(note: youth could select multiple categories)
25%
44%
Male
Physical
Abuse
434
Findings from YouthCount 2.0!
Mean Score = 4.67
(significantly more than other homeless youth)
Earned GED
Still in High
School
Traded Sex for
Money/Needs
42%
63%
7%
30%
Had Been in
Special Education
56%
Used Marijuana in
Past Year
48%
Do Not Have Birth
Certificate
65%
42%
Reported there is no adult in
the community they can go
to for job or school advice
22%
42%
Smoke Cigarettes
Graduated
High School
Do Not Have Social
Security Card
76%
Have a Job
Sexually Active
58%
SOCIAL SUPPORT
EMPLOYMENT &
EDUCATION
31%
RISK BEHAVIORS
38%
MENTAL HEALTH
met screening criteria for serious mental distress
based on last 30 days
36% Had attempted suicide
Reported there is no adult
they can go to for emotional
support
LIFETIME HISTORY OF DIAGNOSES
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
45%
Bipolar
63%
Depression
65%
Conduct Disorder or Oppositional Defiant Disorder
22%
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
36%
Schizophrenia
24%
Had taken psychiatric
medications
52%
62%
Had received
outpatient therapy
Reported an unmet
need for mental
health treatment
Say there is no adult in their
life who cares about them
For More Information:
CONTACT
63%
SERVICE USE
31%
Dr. Sarah C. Narendorf, LCSW
UH Graduate College of Social Work
sanarendorf@uh.edu, 713-743-8672
Dr. Diane Santa Maria
UT Health Science Center at Houston
Diane.M.SantaMaria@uth.tmc.edu
713-500-2187