youth
While there is no statistical documentation from the City, it is believed that there are over 10,000 homeless gay, lesbian and transgendered youth in New York. The population is primarily between the ages of 18 and 24 years old, and primarily Latino and Black. Most are from New York City; others come from elsewhere in the country, Central and South America, and Europe.
For the 10,000 young people, there are approximately 75 beds among the existing shelters. To survive, many resort to street work or illegal activities. Mental illness – from depression to severe psychotic diagnosis – and HIV/AIDS are common health conditions. The average stay for these young people in a homeless situation will be from two to four years.
The vast majority of the young people who use the services of the Task Force offer information about being verbally and physically abused by family members because they are gay. The parental rejection ultimately leads to the young people running away from their homes or being thrown out by their parents. They find themselves abandoned and homeless in the streets, buildings, subways and parks of New York City.
