Queer homelessness: the distinct experiences of sexuality and trans-gender diverse youth

Abstract

Queer young people, or young people who are sexuality diverse and/or trans and gender diverse, face a higher lifetime likelihood of homelessness than their cis-heterosexual peers. However, queer young people are often treated as a homogenous group within research, a methodological decision that obscures differences on the basis of gender identity. Drawing upon 2,159 intake records from a youth housing program in Australia, the authors compare the experiences of (i) cis-heterosexual; (ii) sexuality diverse; and (iii) trans and gender diverse young people across a number of domains related to vulnerability, including victimization and violence, health, substance use, and support systems. Eighteen percent of young people in the sample identified as queer, and five percent identified as trans or gender diverse. Queer young people were more likely to report family and intimate partner violence, poor mental health, and recent substance use than cis-hetero youth. Trans and gender non-conforming respondents were more likely than sexuality diverse peers to be experiencing current, rather than past, family violence, and less likely to report intimate partner violence and substance use. We conclude by discussing these issues within the context of past research and their implication for future research and practice within the homelessness sector.

Keywords:

• Queer youth
• LGBTQ + youth
• homelessness
• housing unstable
• trans and gender diverse

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Tobi Leggans, a former CAG member, who provided extensive feedback on an early draft of this manuscript; the young people who have courageously sought help and generously shared their life experiences with us; and the staff of Brisbane Youth Service who have worked hard to sensitively collect information from young people during times of crisis in their lives.

Disclosure statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and our ethical obligations as researchers, the authors wish to disclose that RVO and JB are employed by Brisbane Youth Service, the program that provided client intake records for analysis. We have disclosed these conflicting interests fully to Taylor & Francis, as well as to the overseeing Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), who approved a plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from this collaboration. That plan is on file with the Griffith University HREC. The research was not grant-supported and none of the authors benefited financially or materially through their involvement in the research.

Notes

1 Consistent with other scholars in this area, the authors acknowledge that homelessness is an experience rather than an identity and use people-first language throughout. However, as noted by McCarthy, there is a collective social construction of a “homeless identity” which includes “an amalgam of stereotypes [that while do] not exist per se, [this identity] continues to influence perceptions and has sever implications for those experiencing homelessness” (2013: 46). This externally ascribed identity, rather than a self-identity, pushed upon young people experiencing homelessness is ultimately at the core of minority stress theory as discussed in this manuscript.

2 “Queer” on the intake survey was not defined; as it was part of the sexuality and not gender questions, we treat it here as suggesting any same-sex or same-gender attraction. Queer elsewhere in the paper follows the definition as set out in the opening paragraph.

3 Please see Appendix A for statistical significance across all three sexuality and gender groups (e.g. cis-hetero vs. SD vs. trans and gender diverse). Tables 3 and 4 show the statistical differences between (a) cis-hetero and all-queer and (b) SD and TGD.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Katie Hail-Jares

Katie Hail-Jares, PhD, is a lecturer within the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University. As an epidemiological criminologist, her research explores how criminalizing behavior harms people and communities.

Rhianon Vichta-Ohlsen

Rhianon Vichta-Ohlsen is the Research and Evaluation Manager for Brisbane Youth Service, leading practice research and social impact measurement specifically adapted to the complex intersecting issues of young people who experience homelessness associated risks. Rhianon became a researcher and evaluator after spending more than 20 years delivering, designing, managing and working to improve social programs both in Australia and overseas.

Theo M. Butler

Theo Butler is an undergraduate student studying Psychological Sciences. They have lived experiences with homelessness as a queer individual. Their passion for contributing toward queer discussions has seen contributions at conventions, on panels, in organization training programs, and within articles. They aim to work with diverse individuals and families upon the completion of their studies.

Jacqueline Byrne

Jaqueline Byrne is a Research Fellow at Griffith University, and Research and Evaluation Officer and Brisbane Youth Service. Jacqui has a strong client-focused research profile, as well as educational research focus, to implement evidence into practice. She has a substantial track record in health and community service improvement projects.