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LGBT+ History Month in the homelessness sector

LGBT+ History Month in the homelessness sector

LGBT+ History Month in the homelessness sector

Monday, February 28, 2022

It’s LGBT+ History Month! As February comes to an end, we’re looking back at what’s been shared across the homelessness sector to celebrate diversity, raise awareness and support the LGBTQ+ community in response to experiences of homelessness. This is a really important opportunity for the sector to reflect, as evidence shows that 24% of young people experiencing homelessness identify as LGBT (read more in akt's (The Albert Kennedy Trust's) LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness report).

Keep reading for our round up of news and resources – and if there’s another item that you’d recommend we add to this list, feel free to get in touch at frontline@stmartinscharity.org.uk!

1. A history of LGBTQ+ housing in England – the housing association sector has long played a role in creating safe spaces and building communities. Watch the National Housing Federation’s webinar about British LGBTQ+ history and consider the role our sector plays in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people to thrive. 

2. Here are the charities leading the fight against LGBTQ+ homelessness in the UK – LGBTQ+ people make up almost a quarter of the country’s homeless youth population. Anezka Turek at the Big Issue rounds up the organisations offering vital support.

3. Homeless and isolated: Working with non-UK nationals who identify as LGBTQI+ – Sebastian Rocca, CEO at Micro Rainbow, features in a guest blog for Homeless Link, discussing why some LGBTQI+ non-UK nationals experience homelessness and the best way to provide people with meaningful support.

4. Tackling the LGBTQ+ youth homelessness crisis – Jotepreet Bhandal, Campaigns, Policy and Research Lead at akt, writes for the National Housing Federation on the important question: How can we tackle the crisis of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness?

5. Why LGBTQ+ people over 50 who experience homelessness need our focus too – As part of LGBTQ+ history month, Harry Jefferson from Stonewall Housing, writes for Homeless Link about the needs of older adults and how services can better support them.

6. How to be a trans ally? – Joanne Lockwood, Associate at Housing Diversity Network, has collaborated with the National Housing Federation to share a video of top tips on how you can support trans people and help to create a safer, kinder and more inclusive society.

7. Nothing to be proud of: UK’s approach to LGBTQ+ asylum accommodation – Claire Fletcher and Aydan Greatrick, PhD candidates at University College London, write for CaCHE to highlight the housing experiences of those in the LGBTQ+ community who are seeking asylum in the UK.

8. “There’s always a niggling feeling that someone will reject you.” How homelessness services can better engage young trans people – in a spotlight on two of Homeless Link’s members Nye Jones explores how the organisations are engaging young trans people who experience homelessness.

9. 6 ways your organisation can help your LGBTIQ+ colleagues to feel comfortable and supported at work – new guidance published by Mind shares how employers can create more inclusive and welcoming spaces at work for people who identify as LGBTIQ+.

Keen to learn more about the topics raised in this article?

There are a number of organisations doing important work to support the LGBTQ+ community all year round. Take a look and follow the activities of akt, Stonewall Housing, The Outside Project, Micro Rainbow, Mermaids UK, Terrance Higgins Trust, Gendered Intelligence, and Switchboard. You can also explore the #LGBTHistoryMonth hashtag on Twitter.

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