LGBTQ Homeless Youth Resources in Portland

Portland Tribune: Jessie Darland-- Photo of Joey Whitnig, 29, who has been houseless eleven times since they were 18 years old. 

Many homeless LGBTQ youth have traveled across the country in order to access the services and resources that Portland offers. According to the Portland Tribune, roughly 40 percent of homeless youth in the U.S. are estimated to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer, though only 7 percent of overall youth identify as LGBTQ, according to a survey by the Williams Institute, an affiliate of UCLA School of Law specializing in such research and policy work. Portland's reputation as a liberal, LGBTQ friendly city has made itself a reputation of a safe haven for many youths who feel unsafe in their homes throughout the country. However, many risk losing their homes and security, ending up homeless. Running away due to family rejection was the top reason LGBTQ youth cited for why they were homeless, the second-leading reason being forced out of their home by parents or guardians due to their sexual identity.

Portland has some resources for homeless LGBTQ youth, such as the Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Resource Center, connected to New Avenues for Youth in downtown Portland which opened in 2015. There is also Outside In, which started LGBTQ-specific programming in 1992. 

Violet Burell

August 18, 2018