LGBT+ Youth Homelessness as a Consequence of Progress

Positive developments, legal progress and increased acceptance of LGBT+ people in society portray unrealistic outcomes for being ‘out’ in today’s Britain and have led to a greater confidence among young people to come out as LGBT+ at an earlier age than they did 50 years ago. Paradoxically, these positive advances can lead to homelessness. Experiences vary between peer and family settings, and expectations of perceived ‘progress’ are not always met, resulting in rejection and eviction. This chapter explores the ‘paradox of progress’ by examining circumstances and challenges faced by people aged 16–25 who identify as LGBT+ and experience homelessness in forms of rough sleeping, sofa surfing and precarious housing. The chapter is based on in-depth long-term ethnographic research with LGBT+ young people in South East England, and it analyses the difficulties this group faces in view of sexual exploitation, marginalisation, online risk-taking, mental health problems and subsequently also homelessness. The chapter outlines solutions on the preventative level and conclusions for future policy-making to ensure that younger people have appropriate advice, support and guidance to cope in a heteronormative world that often fails to meet their expectations and needs.