Housing programs like shelters and transitional living programs must create, adopt, and put into practice LGBTQ-inclusive policies. People working with LGBTQ youth must undergo training on policies and procedures regarding LGBTQ people, terminology used to describe LGBTQ people, and on applicable local, state, and federal laws protecting LGBTQ people.

At GLAD, we dream big and work hard to make those dreams a reality. One of our many dreams for LGBTQ youth is to get unaccompanied homeless LGBTQ youth out of the streets and into stable, long-term housing by providing welcoming, safe, and LGBTQ culturally competent housing program options.
[A]pproximately 40% of homeless youth nationwide identify as LGBTQ.
Earlier this month, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took an important step to make this dream a reality by signing “An Act Promoting Housing and Support Services to Unaccompanied Homeless Youths” (HB 4517) into law. Pursuant to this momentous law, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services will enter into contracts with organizations and agencies to provide housing, including, but not limited to, emergency shelter, kinship home placements, short term housing, and transitional independent living programs for unaccompanied homeless youth. shelteraccesscardfront

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Since approximately 40% of homeless youth nationwide identify as LGBTQ, this bill has the potential to greatly benefit unaccompanied homeless LGBTQ youth in Massachusetts. However, just increasing the number of housing options and support services available to homeless youth is not enough. The next step is making sure these options appeal to LGBTQ youth by making them feel welcome and safe.
Housing programs like shelters and transitional living programs must create, adopt, and put into practice LGBTQ-inclusive policies. People working with LGBTQ youth must undergo training on policies and procedures regarding LGBTQ people, terminology used to describe LGBTQ people, and on applicable local, state, and federal laws protecting LGBTQ people.
Housing programs like shelters and transitional living programs must create, adopt, and put into practice LGBTQ-inclusive policies. People working with LGBTQ youth must undergo training on policies and procedures regarding LGBTQ people, terminology used to describe LGBTQ people, and on applicable local, state, and federal laws protecting LGBTQ people. shelter-access-boston-glass Since embarking on a state-wide public education tour about the treatment of transgender people accessing shelter services in Massachusetts, I’ve heard horror story after horror story. Such stories range from being entirely denied access to shelters, to being permitted access to shelters but then segregated and isolated, and/or to being called derogatory names and epithets while residing at shelters. Everyone, regardless of gender identity or expression, has the right to be treated with respect and dignity when accessing shelter services. If you are homeless and transgender, make sure you check out our website for more information about your rights. In the words of John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Salt Lake City, Utah has outpaced the rest of the country in terms of ending homelessness. Their success serves as a powerful reminder that our dream is, in fact, very possible. Check out some of the great work Utah has accomplished by watching this satirical clip from the Daily Show:
The Daily Show The Commonwealth of Massachusetts must continue to invest more resources in securing housing for unaccompanied homeless youth, including LGBTQ youth. Until young people are no longer living in the street, surfing from couch to couch, or befriending strangers for the sole purpose of having a place to stay for the night, GLAD will continue working to ensure that available housing options are welcoming and safe places for LGBTQ youth. Photos from Transgender Shelter Access Workshops: Above: Boston GLASS Below: Youth on Fire; Boston Healthcare for the Homeless
shelter-access-youth-on-fireshelter-access-healthcare-for-the-homeless shelter-access-d-transcend  shelter-access-jan14-springfield TransCend; Out Now and House of Colors at South Congregational Church in Springfield (with special thanks to Louis Mitchell) Special thanks to our partners Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition and BAGLY and to all who supported and attended these workshops. For more information, contact us at GLAD Answers (800-455-GLAD)