THE HIDDEN RESIDENTS
(Article published in HWW Nov 2008)
by Christy Parque, MSW. Homeless Services United
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) homeless make up a largely invisible but significant part of the New York City homeless population, facing unique barriers not only to shelter entry but shelter safety. Identifying and understanding the needs of the LGBT population is vital to maintaining an environment in which all residents may feel comfortable and secure.
According to a 2007 survey of homeless youth by the Empire State Coalition, 28 percent of New York City homeless youth identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender. An additional 11 percent declined to answer the question or were unsure of their sexual orientation. New York City (through the Department of Youth and Community Development) funds only three shelters specifically for LGBT youth.
Transgender individuals in the city’s shelters are at high risk of verbal, physical, and sexual harassment and abuse, including rape. Transwomen, individuals who self-identify and live as female regardless of their biological sex, in particular report being threatened with such extreme violence in men's facilities that many choose not to utilize the shelter system at all, feeling safer remaining on the streets. Department of Homeless Services’ policy allows transgender homeless individuals to specify whether they prefer to be housed in women’s or men’s shelters. Shelter staff are obligated to address transgender individuals with the individual’s preferred “names, titles, pronouns, and other terms appropriate to gender identity.” However, a number of transgender individuals still report that these polices are not followed appropriately by DHS or shelter staff, and harassment from staff and fellow residents remains an issue.
LGBT single adults are not the only population afflicted by hardship in the shelter system. LGBT people are equally as likely as heterosexuals to be involved in abusive relationships. According to the NY State LGBTQ Domestic Violence Network it is estimated that at least 1 in 4 LGBT individuals will experience domestic violence in his or her lifetime. However, incidents go largely unreported possibly due to additional fear associated with having one's sexual identity “outed,” misunderstanding of their rights, or a strong reinforcement of the fears of an already vulnerable population. New York State passed a bill in June 2008 that grants access to civil orders of protection to LGBT people in abusive relationships.
The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) recently made shelter entry less burdensome for LGBT families both with and without children, implementing a pilot program at the PATH and the Adult Family Intake Center allowing all homeless couples who present either a marriage or domestic partnership certificate to be considered a “family” or “adult couple” for the purpose of applying for shelter. Additional details can be found on the DHS website at www.nyc.gov/dhs.
This summer, Rev. Louis Braxton, Jr, an Episcopal priest who runs Carmen’s Place, a shelter for gay and transgender youth in Queens, was attacked by a group of teenagers after coming to the defense of a shelter resident being attacked by the same group. No serious physical injuries were sustained. However, this incident shed light on the issues faced by a number of LGBT shelter residents.
In order to address the needs of the LGBT consumers and in light of the recent attacks, Homeless Services United is offering a training for homeless shelter staff to address New York City policies regarding the rights of LGBT individuals and families, as well as to work with staff to develop specialized knowledge and skills related to the unique challenges of working with LGBT residents. “The Hidden Resident,” presented by Andrea Schmidt, will help shelter staff develop the skills necessary to provide support to LGBT individuals and families, learning to ask practical and personal questions, exploring how to best ensure the safety of residents and staff, and advocating for the legal rights of LGBT residents.
Understanding and ensuring the rights and needs of the LGBT population ensures the safety and comfort of all agency staff and residents.
For more information on our training, which will be on November 18, or to register your staff, please contact Homeless Services United at 646-827-2272 or info@hsunited.org.
Homeless Services United is a coalition of nonprofit providers serving homeless and at-risk adults and families throughout New York City. For more information, please visit us at www.hsunited.org.
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For more information about the rights of LGBT individuals please visit:
The Ali Forney Center www.aliforneycenter.org
Human Rights Campaign www.hrc.org
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. www.lambdalegal.org
The LGBT Center: Gender Identity Project www.gaycenter.org
Metropolitan Community Church of NY www.homelessyouthservices.org
National Advocacy Coalition on Youth and Sexual Orientation www.nyacyouth.org
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force www.thetaskforce.org
NYC Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project www.avp.org
