Coming Out and Leaving Home: A Policy and Research Agenda for LGBT Homeless Students

Each year, it is estimated between 320,000 and 400,000 LGBT youth encounter homelessness. They are at increased risk of victimization and abuse and face stigmatization for being both homeless and a sexual or gender minority. These youth are more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to become homeless after being forced out of their homes. Because of this, it is important to consider the wide array of backgrounds and identities of LGBT homeless youth when studying their lived experiences and creating public policies and tools to help them succeed. Accordingly, the authors examine the literatures on LGBT and homeless students and then explore the intersection of these communities. Based on the current research, the authors propose educational policy and research agendas that include theoretical and methodological considerations. By examining the LGBT community collectively, the authors take a pragmatic approach to understanding and aiding this unique subset of homeless students.