Family Rejection Contributes to Homelessness of LGBTQ Youth

When Henri came out as trans at 14, his family was not supportive. At first, he thought maybe they would come around; "They just need time," his older siblings said. But then, when Henri refused to "drop the phase," his father made it clear he was no longer welcome at home.

With nowhere to go, Henri stayed with friends off and on, and eventually ended up at a youth shelter for some time, where he showed up on my caseload. At this point, he was 16, and social services was less involved. Even if they had been, Henri reported, he likely would have continued to stay at the shelter. "They were more accepting of me than my own parents," he said.

Source: Image by Victoria from Pixabay

The Harm of Family Abandonment of LGBTQ+ Youth

Every day, queer/LGBTQ+ youth experience family abandonment and rejection after coming out to their families. This rejection can range from subtle forms, like when kids notice emotional distance or dismissal, to more extreme actions, such as being kicked out of the home, like in Henri's case.

Research shows that LGBTQ+ youth face a significantly higher risk of homelessness. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, "LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population,"² with up to 40 percent of homeless youth identifying as LGBTQ+.¹

Understanding the Causes of LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness

In my work with families, I notice that many parents initially believe their child's sexuality or gender identity is a "phase." But I’ve also seen the power of love and willingness to understand—when parents choose to listen, learn, and stand by their child. Their love overrides preconceived biases, as it should.

Unfortunately, the harm lies with families who allow personal beliefs, societal pressure, or misinformation to outweigh the well-being of their child. Family rejection stems from various factors, including cultural or religious beliefs, or a lack of understanding that leads to stigma and fear. These families often see their child’s identity as a threat, a failure, or a source of shame.

According to research, "44 percent of LGBTQ+ youth in state custody report they were removed, ran away, or were kicked out of their homes for reasons directly related to their identity."¹ This overrepresentation in foster care and juvenile systems reflects a need for a societal shift in the ways we view rejection of LGBTQ+ youth. Family rejection isn’t simply about disagreement; it places youth in direct physical, emotional, and psychological danger.

The Role of Society in Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth

Beyond homelessness, rejected LGBTQ+ youth face increased risks of substance abuse, involvement in the criminal justice system, and exploitation such as sex trafficking. They also report higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, and struggle to complete school.⁴ Thus, supporting youth at risk for family rejection and homelessness should be a major priority.

When families fail to provide a safe environment for growing children, this leads to lasting trauma. It then becomes society’s responsibility to fill that gap.

Education is a good first step: Providing accurate, inclusive information about gender identity and sexual orientation helps dispel myths and reduce stigma, both within families and across communities. But policy changes are important, as legal protections must ensure that LGBTQ+ youth have equal access to housing, healthcare, education, and protection from discrimination—especially when they’ve been failed by their families.

If you are looking for support after experiencing family rejection, here are some safe places:

• The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386
• Support Hotlines - PFLAG