LGBTQ Connect

Something pretty amazing is gearing up to happen this October in San Francisco, California. On October 7, the city will conduct an event called LGBTQ Connect. This event will help connect LGBTQ homeless people with the services they need in a one day walk-in convention. The services that will be provided include access medical, dental, employment, and housing services.

All over the United States, as well as the rest of the world, the number of homeless LGBTQ youth is steadily rising. However, in San Francisco the problem is even more dire because the homeless that are LGBTQ aren't just primarily youth. The numbers for homeless LGBTQ youth, adults, and even seniors are all high. It is approximated that 29% of the city's homeless identify as LGBTQ.

According to the Coalition for Homelessness's Jennifer Heidenbach, our nation needs more centers specializing in LGBTQ homeless. “What we get from this is that homelessness is a queer issue,” she said. “And when we look at our system, it’s not particularly gay-friendly.”

This convention is thought to be the first of it's kind in the nation and hopefully will inspire other cities to take action to help our LGBTQ homeless. This growing problem is something we need to take action and do something about.

The convention will take place October 7, 2013 at the LGBT Community Center - 1800 Market Street - from 10am to 3pm.
 

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/09/22/us-san-francisco-to-launch-its-first-ever-support-event-for-homeless-lgbt-people/