Youth Homelessness & The Month of June
It has always been clear that certain sub-populations of young people are overrepresented in the youth homelessness population. The prejudice and discrimination placed on the minorities of the world, often make those same subgroups the majority in our field of work. The month of June prompts us to take a closer look at two of these sub-populations:
Indigenous young people and LGBTQ2S+ youth.
June is both National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. This month serves as an opportunity for all Canadians to learn about Indigenous history, while global citizens around the world gather to celebrate the history of the LGBTQ2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, plus) community. Following May’s National Youth Week, June gives us the opportunity to continue the conversation and better meet our mission statement — to educate the public regarding homelessness, street life and related issues.
What is National Indigenous History Month?
National Indigenous History Month is a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada.
Indigenous Homelessness
Indigenous experiences of homelessness, for both young people and adults, can be directly correlated to the lasting impacts of colonization. Unhealed historical and cultural wounds have created many of the stigmas and existing social issues plaguing Indigenous communities today. Dark stains on Canadian history, including the Sixties Scoop, Residential Schools, and the displacement of land, culture and resources as a result of the Indian Act, are just a few of the ongoing impacts of colonization affecting the mental health of Indigenous youth and families. This intergenerational trauma has led to the overrepresentation of Indigenous young people in the youth homelessness population.
Did you know…
Indigenous peoples make up only 4.3% of the overall Canadian population, but comprise 30.6% of the youth homelessness population. 1
Indigenous peoples in Canada are more than 11 times more likely to use a homeless shelter than non-Indigenous people. 2
1 in 15 Indigenous peoples in urban centres experience homelessness, compared to 1 in 128 for the general population. Meaning, that Indigenous peoples living in urban areas are 8 times more likely to experience homelessness. 3
On any given night, 6.97% of the urban Indigenous population in Canada is homeless, versus the national average of 0.78%. 4
To commemorate events like National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Government of Canada is offering a number of free promotional resources for public use, including variations of this image. Check out and share these free downloadable commemorative promotional resources.
What is Pride Month?
On June 28th 1969, the Stonewall Riots began and an international gay rights movement was born. Now, more than 50 years later, the world takes the month of June to celebrate and commemorate the history of the LGBTQ2S+ community and its historic figures.
The History of Pride & Homelessness
Homelessness has been present in the lives of so many historic figures within the gay rights movement, including activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who are now recognized as two of the most important figures in LGBTQ2S+ history. During their lifetimes, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera co-created a shelter and safe haven for homeless LGBTQ2S+ youth called "S.T.A.R." (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries).
Waterloo Region's first-ever rainbow community space, SPECTRUM is breaking down all the events happening this June. SPECTRUM collaborates with a number of community partners to hold a variety of events during Pride Month. Check out their event calendar for local event information, or click here for a "diversity calendar" that collects dates of cultural and religious significance across the globe.
LGBTQ2S+ Youth & Homelessness Today
For over two decades, research has indicated that LGBTQ2S+ youth are disproportionately represented among youth experiencing homelessness in Canada. While the elevation of LGBTQ2S+ rights is undeniable, there are many hurdles left to cross. For the LGBTQ2s+ community, widespread homophobia and transphobia in Canadian society and its institutions, including health care, justice, and schools are the main obstacles we have yet to overcome. However, for the group's younger members, family conflict is the most common cause of homelessness.
Did you know…
LGBTQ2S+ youth make up between 25% and 40% of homeless youth in Canada. That means nearly 1 out of every 3 young people experiencing homelessness in Canada identifies as LGBTQ2S+. 5
77.9% of LGBTQ2S youth experiencing homelessness report experiencing criminal victimization (e.g. theft, sexual assault). 6
LGBTQ2S+ youth experiencing homelessness report high rates of mental health issues and suicide. 7
1 in 3 transgender youth are rejected by a shelter on account of their gender identity/expression. 8
Transgender youth in Ontario are at greater risk of suicide than other minority groups. In 2010, 77% of trans people in Ontario reported having seriously considered suicide, and 45% had attempted suicide. 9 Compared to the general population, transgender and gender non-conforming people in Canada are also…
2 times as likely to experience severe poverty and homelessness.
5 times more likely to have mental health issues.
5 times more likely to attempt suicide.
7 times more likely to abuse drugs or other substances. 10
At oneROOF Youth Services, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it! We're better together. If you’d like to learn more about the goals and impact of oneROOF Youth Services, head to our mission page, here.
Intersectionality
Young people can belong to a variety of social groups based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergencies, etc. Many LGBTQ2S+ people may also be Indigenous. Both identifiers may also belong to other marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, refugees, people with varying immigration status, single parents, etc.
Poverty and homelessness are experienced uniquely at each of these intersections and overlaps, every one adding its own set of complex challenges into the mix. For example, Two-Spirit Indigenous youth may face discrimination from heteronormative and binary societal expectations, while fighting against the appropriation of the term two-spirit by those who are not Indigenous, and facing stigma put on them due to their cultural background. Every intersection of identity places the individual into a new, more nuanced category. It is important that we work to understand the experiences of each.
Learn With Us
We recognize that Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ young people are disproportionately affected by homelessness. We also believe that knowledge, understanding, and representation are powerful tools…
In this time of acknowledgment, learning, and appreciation of the immeasurable contributions of Indigenous peoples, we encourage youth, staff, volunteers, and donors to check out the educational tools and youth specific resources available.
We ask you to explore online educational resources and community supports to further your understanding of LGBTQ2S+ individuals in your life.
At oneROOF Youth Services, we strive every day to create a loving, accepting, and safe environment for youth experiencing homelessness, including the sub-populations within. Every day we hear the stories of these individuals and strive to better understand the undeniable prejudice and discrimination so clearly present and at play in their lives. Please take a moment to explore the links below and join us in bettering ourselves through education and understanding.
QUick Reads:
Two Spirits, One Voice. What does it mean to be Two Spirit? Watch Now.
Reclaiming Power and Place: National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women. Read Now.
How to teach my child about Canada’s history? Inspiring Children's Books from Indigenous Authors: See List.
What does LGBTQ2s+ mean? Read Now.
What are pronouns and how do I use them? Find Out.
Struggling Parent? Here’s all you need to know about your LGBTQ2s+ child: Click Here.
Language is Important! For basic LGBTQ2s+ terms, Click Here.
Gender vs. Sexuality. What’s the difference? Find Out.
Need help coming out? Get Help.
For LGBTQ2S+ Crisis Resources: Click Here.
Sources:
Stephen Gaetz, Bill O’Grady, Sean Kidd & Kaitlin Schwan. (2016)
National Homelessness Database (NHDB) 2016
Belanger, Y. D., & Awosoga, O. (1969)
Belanger, Y. D., & Awosoga, O. (1969)
Josephson & Wright (2000)
Stephen Gaetz, Bill O’Grady, Sean Kidd & Kaitlin Schwan. (2016) p.80
Stephen Gaetz, Bill O’Grady, Sean Kidd & Kaitlin Schwan. (2016) p.65
Abramovich, Homelessness Hub (2014)
Greta Bauer, Michelle Boyce, Todd Coleman, Matthias Kaay, Kyle Scanlon & Robb Travers (2010)
Abramovich, I. A. (2012)