LGBT homeless youth are more likely than their homeless heterosexual counterparts to have poorer mental and physical health outcomes, including major depressive disorders, PTSD and substance abuse (Keuroghlian, Shtasel, & Bassuk, 2014).Studies indicate that between 11 percent and 45 percent of all homeless youth identify as LGBT (Durso & Gates, 2012 Gattis, 2009 Wells, 2009). LGBT youth experience homelessness at a disproportionate rate.Studies on LGBT youth reveal the following: The consequences of youth homelessness have many implications for the socioeconomic status of LGBT youth. Many LGBT youth may also be rejected by their family of origin or caregivers and forced to leave the home as minors. 47 percent of transgender individuals also reported being discriminated against in hiring, firing, and promotion over 25 percent reported they had lost a job due to discrimination on the basis of their gender identity (Grant et al., 2011).Ī lack of acceptance and fear of persecution can lead many LGBT youth to leave their homes and live in transitional housing or on the streets.In one study, 90 percent of surveyed transgender respondents reported experiencing harassment, mistreatment or discrimination at work due to their gender identity (Grant et al., 2011).
Poverty rates would be projected to fall for the most vulnerable individuals in same-sex/gender couples, including African-Americans, couples with children, people with disabilities, individuals under 24 years of age, people without high school diplomas or the equivalent, and those living in rural areas (Badgett & Schneebaum, 2014). Research has shown that an increase in the minimum wage would reduce the poverty rate by 25 percent for same-sex/gender female couples and 30 percent for same-sex/gender male couples. Raising the federal minimum wage would benefit LGBT individuals and couples in the United States.
Prior research has shown that LGBT people and same-sex/gender couples are more vulnerable to conditions of poverty as compared to heterosexual people and couples (Badgett, Durso, & Schneebaum, 2013 Grant et al., 2011). Thus, SES is inherently related to the rights, quality of life and general well-being of LGBT persons. Evidence indicates individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) are especially susceptible to socioeconomic disadvantages.