UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative’s Post

In a world that often fails to recognise the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, it is crucial to break the stigma and provide the support they need to thrive. LGBTQ+ youth, defined as individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or any other sexual orientation or gender identity, face a multitude of obstacles, from societal prejudice to personal struggles with identity and self-acceptance. #YUVAMauritius #YUVAIndia #IndiaMauritius #NGO #Charity #SocialWork #Mauritius #India

28% of LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing homelessness/housing instability, often times due to being kicked out of their home and/or disowned by families once they come out. Those that reported experiencing homelessness had 2-4 times the odds of experiencing depression, anxiety, self-harm, considering suicide, and attempting suicide in comparison to their peers that had stable housing. (The Trevor Project, 2024) Currently there are 516 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being tracked in the United States with 39 being passed into law. In Ohio, there are 7 anti-LGBTQ+ bills on the docket, majority of them focusing on LGBTQ+ youth, including young adults. And we know that these bills increase the number of unhoused LGBTQ+ youth and increase mental health concerns for LGBTQ+ youth. (American Civil Liberties Union, 2024). Pride reminds individuals that their identity deserves to be celebrated, not hidden or shamed. At Huckleberry House, Pride is an opportunity for us to show that we are a safe place for all. Gender identity, sexual orientation, race, economic status, etc. does not matter, one is safe and always welcome at Huckleberry House. And we will continue to advocate against bills that harm young people. If you are participating in the festivities this weekend, please have a safe and fun time. Happy Pride, everyone!

Today is GLSEN's Day of (No) Silence - an annual event where students across the country draw attention to LGBTQ+ youth silenced by harassment. Anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment is on the rise. A few months ago, an anti-LGBTQ+ group began lobbying my hometown's school board for a dangerous "outing" policy, which thankfully didn't succeed. Regardless of the outcome, it was challenging to see this hate in the community where I participated in Day of (No) Silence as a teen. I responded to the prejudice by writing to the board, attending the meeting virtually, and encouraging others to engage. Hostile efforts like these are unfortunately not isolated, so it is important to support LGBTQ+ youth all the time: before, during, and after incidents like a proposed "outing" policy draws public attention. One simple way is to support organizations like InReach, which provides safe, verified resources to the LGBTQ+ community. InReach's Young Professionals Board completed a service project last month focused on finding new resources across the nation for LGBTQ+ youth. I recommended 16 resources near me, which means more youth in my community can access affirming, safe, and supportive resources when the next hostile incident happens. InReach's free app relies on donations to grow. Contributions of ALL sizes are accepted here: https://lnkd.in/g8kD-h6F

Today's featured resource is - How child trafficking is related to risks for LGBTQ+ youth. In our relentless efforts to combat child trafficking, it is crucial to examine the circumstances that either safeguard or endanger children. In this article, we discuss about how certain factors can increase vulnerability, such as bullying, familial rejection, limited employment opportunities, stigma, low self-esteem, and the absence of supportive relationships. Conversely, protective elements that are sometimes missing for LGBTQ+ youth include physical and psychological safety, supportive family connections, protective laws, acceptance, love, and healthy friendships and mentors. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/et36a3gp January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month! Follow along over the rest of this month as we share a resource each day, with a variety of content for caregivers, youth, and activists.

Cardboard Citizens and The Big Issue are proud to present a new series of short films, More Than One Story that aims to disrupt stereotypes, generalisations and misconceptions around homelessness in the UK today, as rising numbers of people are unseen, unheard and overlooked.    Introducing 6/9 – And For Once, I Just Let It Be Nice - A story about homelessness from the perspective of the LGBTQ+ community.  A heartwarming exploration of the simplicity and complexity of just wanting another kiss. By actor, writer and Cardboard Citizens Trustee, Charlie Josephine, performed by Noah Silverstone. Directed by Chris Sonnex, Cardboard Citizens Artistic Director and Joint CEO.  “LGBTQ might sound like alphabet soup, until one of them letters lifts you like a lift raft and makes some of this life make sense. But nothing makes sense in this system that wants me to pretend I’m cis so they can house me, so they help me, how’s that helping? I’m already homeless. Don’t make me soul-less. Don’t make me lie, so I’m easier to deal with. Can’t get help unless I pretend to be someone I’m not, which is the reason why I’m in this mess in the first place” One in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced homelessness, with rates even higher among the trans community (25%). Sofa-surfing is also becoming more common, with 77% of LGBTQ+ young people citing family rejection, abuse, or being asked to leave home as the cause of their homelessness.    More Than One Story aims to highlight the multiple realities of hidden homelessness in the UK. To learn more about More Than One Story, visit the link below, and grab a copy of The Big Issue today! Watch now: https://lnkd.in/gdxpBRvB In collaboration with Black Apron Entertainment #morethanonestory #cardboardcitizens #bigissue #homelessness  

Last weekend, VOA-GNY staff from across the organization showed off their LGBTQ+ pride and allyship by marching in the 2024 @NYCPride Parade! 🌈 The Pride March is a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that still needs to be done to ensure justice and equality for all. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving ALL of our neighbors experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, we’re working to address unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness. LGBTQ+ adults are more than twice as likely to report experiencing homelessness at some point in their lives, as compared to the general population. In the New York City shelter system, well-documented challenges around lack of privacy and safety are especially acute where the LGBTQ+ community is concerned. In particular, transgender individuals are more likely to choose to live in public spaces such as streets and subways rather than navigate a system where most shelters are divided by gender binary. VOA-GNY's Street to Home program successfully uses a "housing first" approach to place unsheltered adults directly into permanent supportive housing. The results have been staggering: 10% of participants in the Street to Home program identify as transgender—a figure in stark contrast to the 0.5% of individuals in shelter who identify as transgender. Learn more about this impactful approach in a new op-ed by VOA-GNY Chief of Staff Nick Brasse in amNewYork: https://lnkd.in/eC4va38x 🏳️🌈❤️ #NYCPride #PrideParade #LGBTQ #HousingJustice #VOAGNY #🌈

SCG's Public Policy Team is excited to launch our new event series, Paving Pathways for Democracy Funding, for funders interested in incorporating democracy funding into their portfolios and those looking to grow their ongoing democracy efforts. We believe that to support the communities we serve and create a diverse and representative government, we must continue expanding philanthropy's definition of democracy funding. To that end, we will host four sessions exploring how funders can engage with democracy work, beginning with our first session, Engaging in Deep Connection to Reduce Anti-Transgender Bias. Over the last several years, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments and a wave of legislation across the country targeting trans and gender non-binary peoples' ability to live openly and freely. This hostility has reached local school boards, with groups using 'parental rights' as a pretext to push anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Today, we continue to see countless bills emerge designed to ban inclusive literature, enforce harmful outing practices, and prevent trans youth from participating in sports according to their identity. Join us and the Los Angeles LGBT Center on Thursday, August 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a candid discussion about how community leaders and funders can collaborate to combat political prejudice and foster a culture of acceptance. This event will highlight the Los Angeles LGBT Center's deep canvassing initiative, which trains volunteer leaders to engage with infrequent voters to educate them on issues concerning the LGBTQ+ community and increase their civic participation. Our panel will discuss the importance of investing in community engagement during and outside of election years and highlight more avenues for funders to engage in LGBTQ+ advocacy and foster a culture of acceptance. Register now to join this crucial conversation: https://buff.ly/3L4og0W. This event will be hosted in person at the LA LGBT Center, with lunch provided. There will also be a virtual option for participants who cannot attend in person. #Philanthropy #CommunityEngagement #SCGPublicPolicy #DemocracyFunding #LGBTQ+ #CommunityEngagement #Philanthropy #DiversityInGovernance #CivicParticipation #SoCalGrantmakers #SCG

Switchboard CEO warns of ‘echoes’ of the 1980s as LGBTQ+ helpline turns 50. Whilst doing some personal legacy planning last Autumn, I became aware of the lack of counselling charities for the LGBTQ+ community, as I was seeking to support an LGBTQ+ mental health charity. So although they are rare, charities like Switchboard and incredibly important. Last Tuesday, Switchboard turned 50, with the charity taking its first calls in March 1974. Sadly, the CEO of the Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline has said that the charity is seeing the “echoes” of the 1980s in the conversations it is having with service users: “In terms of the service, a lot is going on. There’s a real need for our service at the moment. We’re seeing a lot more conversations getting more difficult, frankly. They’re more loaded. You can feel that people are ringing with real anxieties about things that are happening in the world right now and how that’s impacting the LGBTQ+ community, in particular the trans and non-binary communities. In the 50th year, you would like to think we could talk about progress and everything being great, but a lot of what we’re talking about now echoes what we experienced in the 80s”. If you or anybody you know can support Switchboard, do reach out as they’re currently having a recruitment drive. https://lnkd.in/epeR3dgk

So very cool! And needed. Now, let’s work together to get you ready to purchase this house… • good financial planning. • debt payoff. • budgeting. • saving and investing. • disability income protection And, when the house is yours… • customized life insurance for mortgage protection. #lgbtqiaally #yourallyagent #financialservicesprofessional #inbusinesstomakeadifference

A new toolkit will help enhance intergenerational communication and connection among the LGBTQ+ community 🤝 Intergenerational disconnection is a growing societal problem, particularly among LGBTQ+ people, whose ‘families of choice’ are often peer-group-based without descendants and are less likely to include members from their ‘family of origin’. When people from different generations lack the opportunity to communicate and understand each other’s perspectives and experiences, this can lead to divisive stereotyping, misunderstanding and less connected communities. In this ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council impact project, led by Matthew Hall, Andrew King and Helen Kingstone at the University of Surrey, researchers are working with LGBTQ+ charitable organisations that specialise in supporting LGBTQ+ communities to establish how best to facilitate interventions that bring different generations together. Their brand new toolkit, presented to policymakers in Westminster in recent weeks, offers evidence-based recommendations for running intergenerational workshops with LGBTQ+ staff, members, volunteers and/or service users. It is now available to download via our website: 👉 https://lnkd.in/ed5S22T7 #researchimpact #connectedcommunities #LGBTQ+ #connection #communication #toolkit #itsgoodtotalk Tonic Housing Stonewall Housing METRO Charity #OpeningDoorsLondon