A new report shows that nearly 8,400 LGBT youths may be homeless this winter. According to statistics cited in the study by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute and the National Coalition for the Homeless, 42% of the 15,000 to 20,000 homeless youths estimated to live in New York City are LGBT. Approximately 3% to 5% of the U.S. population identifies as gay or lesbian, according to a press release on the study.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 570,000 and 1.6 million youth run away or become homeless each year.
The report's findings were released at New York City Hall on Thursday by NGLTF and New York City council speaker Christine Quinn. The city council has made more than $2 million in grants to groups serving homeless LGBT youths, the press release said.
“This study illustrates that the challenges LGBT youth face can become so great that kids are left displaced and homeless," Quinn said. "It is crucial that we provide the resources for connecting these young people with safe shelter, health care, and educational services. The city council is proud to have made the needs of LGBT homeless youth a priority, and we will continue our work to ensure these young people get the services they need." (The Advocate)
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