Highlighting the dangerous impact of homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community.
Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their own home. But for many in the LGBTQ+ community, that right is too often out of reach. Family rejection, abuse and being forced to leave home remain common experiences.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate visibility, resilience and love. But it’s also a time to face some hard truths – especially the disproportionate rates of homelessness among LGBTQ+ people.
Recent research from the Albert Kennedy Trust shows that 24% of young people facing homelessness in the UK identify as LGBTQ+. The main reason? Family rejection. Coming out, or being outed, can still mean being shown the door. When home stops being safe, many LGBTQ+ people, particularly the young, end up living on the streets.
Homelessness isn’t just about housing. It’s about safety, stability and identity. Without a secure place to live, LGBTQ+ people face higher risks of mental health issues and addiction. According to UK Addiction Treatment Centres, LGBTQ+ individuals are three times as likely to use drugs than the heterosexual population, often as a way to cope with trauma, discrimination or abuse.
This creates a dangerous cycle. The lack of LGBTQ+-supporting housing and recovery services leaves many isolated in systems that don’t understand their experiences.
Recovery is harder when you’re not seen, not believed, not safe.
We can’t just fly rainbow flags and call it allyship. There’s real work to do. That means advocating for services that recognise the unique needs of LGBTQ+ people – from housing to recovery. It means naming the problem, even when the solutions aren’t yet in place.
At Emerging Futures, we’re not claiming to have everything figured out. Yes, we create homes that are safe for all our residents, and we stand firmly against discrimination of any kind – but we aren’t the experts in this area. There are, however, some established and accomplished organisations that are leading the way.
This Pride Month let’s celebrate – but also challenge. Let’s remember that for many LGBTQ+ people, pride begins with survival. And survival begins with a place to call home.
If you or someone you know needs support, these LGBTQ+ specific organisations can help:
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Reach out to Emerging Futures for support and begin your journey towards a better future. info@emergingfutures.org.uk. Tel: 03330 124 714.
