Three things you might not know about homelessness this LGBTQ+ History Month

Ruth Stone (they / them), Strategic Communications Project Manager

19.02.2024

What does home mean to you? For me, it’s a place I share with my partner and our cats. It’s a space to unwind and be myself. I’ve moved home a lot – and whenever I get to a new place, I unpack my things as quickly as possible - so it feels like home. That includes trying to find somewhere to keep my light-up boa and other bits of drag costuming!

Whatever home means to you, it’s about much more than a roof over your head or somewhere to sleep. And yet sometimes we can forget this when we think about the issue of homelessness.

The views that we have about any topic – including homelessness - are formed in us over a long period of time. They come from our experience, our culture, and our media. What we see and hear on the news, on TV shows or just in conversation with family, friends and colleagues all shapes our thinking.

When it comes to homelessness, research has shown, there is often big gap between the realities of what it is, what causes it and how to end it - and how people think and understand the issue.

My role at Crisis is focused on helping to close this gap by working with organisations and individuals to tell a different and more helpful story about homelessness. Which is why I want to share some things you might not know about homelessness – which are particularly important as we reflect on LGBTQ+ History Month.

1. Some of us are at greater risk of homelessness than others

Pressures like low incomes and high rents put many of us under constant strain – which can build up and push us into homelessness. Some of us face additional pressures because of who we are, which put us at greater risk of experiencing homelessness.

Those of us who are LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience homelessness. Research from Stonewall shows that almost one in five LGBT people have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. Rates are even higher amongst trans people, with 25% of us having experienced homelessness at some point.

When we experience social disadvantages, family rejection or discrimination because of who we are, we are less likely to have the resources we need to withstand the pressures that can push us into homelessness.
All of us have the right to a safe and decent home. That’s why it’s vital that our support systems work for and include queer people – and everyone in society.

2. Homelessness can be visible or hidden

Homelessness doesn’t look one way. When we think about homelessness, we tend to go straight to the most visible form - rough sleeping. Which makes sense as this is the type of homelessness we see as we travel around our towns and cities.

But homelessness can also be less visible or hidden. Many people deal with their situation informally – for example, they might be sleeping on a different friend’s sofa every week.

Hidden homelessness also includes unconventional accommodation which is when people sleep in spaces that are not intended as residential accommodation like a car, lorry or shed. Some people sleep on public transport – or because they have nowhere else to go.

As a drag performer, I’ve seen how much hidden homelessness impacts my community. And while I’m so proud of how queer people support each other – through things like mutual aid groups and crowdfunding efforts– it shouldn’t have to be this way. The simple reality is that no one in Britain should be forced to experience any of these types of homelessness.

3. Homelessness can be ended!

The final thing I want to share about homelessness is that it can and must be ended. This isn’t me being optimistic or naïve. This is something that is entirely achievable – but it requires political commitment as well as support from people like you.

My Grandma was born in 1924 – four years before women in the UK had the same voting rights as men. As a queer person born in the 80s, I grew up thinking I’d never be able to marry someone that I love. We decided as a society that things could be different. And we can do the same with homelessness.

We know what needs to be done - just like we did with voting rights, and with equal marriage. We need to build more truly affordable homes - and provide more support for those of us at the brink. The more of us who come together to demand this change, the louder our voice will be heard.

You can help to build a future free from homelessness by supporting our Make History campaign.