This Pride Month, as we celebrate the progress made towards equality and inclusion, it's important to also acknowledge the persistent challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth. One of the most heartbreaking issues is the significantly higher risk of homelessness among these young individuals − an alarming 120% higher risk, to be exact. Many are disowned, rejected, and abandoned by their families simply for being true to themselves.
Our first encounter with this harsh reality was when a friend approached us, recounting the story of a local high school sophomore who had been thrown out of his home after coming out to his family. Since then, we’ve heard so many similar stories: young people disowned, forced into homelessness, and even driven to attempt suicide. The situation is dire, and it demands our immediate attention and action.
Child and youth service workers in our community are witnessing this crisis firsthand. They report that many LGBTQ+ youth are forced to sleep on friends' couches or rely on the kindness of other families for shelter. The hateful rhetoric and discriminatory attitudes prevalent in our society contribute to this harm, creating an environment where too many young people feel unsafe and unsupported.
This is why we are passionate advocates for LGBTQ+ youth. We believe in shining a light on their struggles and working to create a world where they are accepted and loved. Since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, we have seen an increase in hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in states like Florida, which ranks as the second worst state for LGBTQ+ safety.
Organizations like Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) play a vital role in addressing these issues. CHS is committed to creating a secure, welcoming and inclusive environment for all youth. Their dedicated team provides essential support to LGBTQ+ youth, ensuring they feel seen, heard and valued and have the resources they need to succeed.
CHS programs in the Greater Pensacola area offer stable housing, resources, education and a safe space for homeless youth. This Pride Month, we aim to raise awareness about the challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth and the importance of standing up against hate and discrimination.
At CHS, the transitional living program, M-Power, ensures safe housing, life skills, case management, education, employment and health needs for these youth. When asked, a case worker shared the highest needs for these youth include clothing and shoes, job opportunities, housing/shelter fees, bus passes and gift cards to help with hygiene and food needs. Celebrate pride and join us in supporting these youth by organizing a clothing and shoe drive, be open to hiring youth without experience because a lot of times they are hard workers but don’t have experience to secure the job or consider donating to their safe housing and transportation. For details reach out to the team at 850-266-2700 or to make a donation visit chsfl.org/donate. Additionally, if you or a youth you know are in need of these services, please reach out to CHS.
It's time for more of us to take action. We must work together to prevent the harm being done to these vulnerable young people. By fostering a culture of acceptance and support, we can ensure that everyone feels safe, loved and empowered to be their authentic selves. Let us honor Pride Month by committing to this cause and making a tangible difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth.
Beverly Pica and Gary Michaels are board members for the Children’s Home Society of Florida in the Greater Pensacola area and have served for over 15 years.
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