Resilience Reimagined: Ali Forney Center
Sponsored Content: Ali Forney Center reclaims the meaning of home (Photo: Capital One)
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to stay home. But for the LGBTQ+ youth community, the definition of “home” was unclear. Many did not have a safe home to return to due to familial rejection from homophobia and/or transphobia. This issue was further amplified with the spread of COVID-19, triggering many again of this painful trauma.
Employee (Terri Squires) working at the front desk of Ali Forney Center. (Photo: Capital One)
Due to their identity, many LGBTQ+ youth are kicked out of their homes or suffer from physical and mental abuse from families. According to statistics, they are eight times more likely to be homeless than non-LGBTQ youth. In fact, in New York City alone, studies have found that LGBTQ+ youth comprise up to 40% of the homeless youth population.