May 23, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

LGBTQ Foster Youth In L.A. Falling Through The Cracks

A topic that has not garnered as much attention as it should is that of foster youth in Los Angeles especially LGBTQ foster youth that then become homeless. 

According to the Los Angeles LGBT Center up to 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ and one of the primary hardships that they face is discrimination based off of their sexual orientation. 

Santerous Colbert and John Cumper, both USC students pursuing masters of social work, are passionate about bringing more attention to this issue inspiring them to pursue social justice reform in graduate school. 

Colbert was brave enough to share some of his experience with The Pride LA, describing his experience as an LGBTQ person who went through the foster system and how hard it was to transition to independent living. “I honestly didn’t know anything about a transitional living program upon leaving foster care. My foster sister informed me of the benefit and I was advised to reach out to my ILP coordinator. Nervous and anxiety played a huge part due to me moving out of my hometown area. However, it allowed me to adjust to my new environment of living and build meaningful and resourceful connections and relationships with people. Some of which I still have to this day.” Colbert continued how he overcame those obstacles, “I acknowledged that I didn’t have the power to change my troubled past. Instead, I channeled my energy into my education and set goals for my self. The challenges I faced (i.e. homeless, incarceration, gay bashing etc) allowed me to see these components as my greatest strengths rather than weakness. My motivational factor was ‘There is power in testament and solution in struggle.’”

Like Colbert many of these youth face several issues when transitioning out of the foster care system and into independent living. Some ultimately become homeless because of these issues. 

Because of the discrimination that LGBTQ homeless youth face, they must struggle daily to meet their survival needs, such as attending to personal hygiene and finding food and shelter. Not to mention the toll that having to live on the streets takes. The vulnerability of living on the streets can be damaging both physically and emotionally. 

Youth, aged 15-24, that identify as LGBTQ have a higher chance (120%) of becoming homeless than those of their heterosexual peers. It is estimated that half of youth aging out of foster care are homeless within 18 months. 

The stigma associated with homeless LGBTQ youth explains why most are battling depression and struggling with deteriorating mental health. It is this very discrimination and bigotry that has led to many of these youth being ostracized by their families and ending up on the streets without any other options. 

Despite their situation and overwhelming obstacles, the majority of LGBTQ foster youth stay hopeful and look forward to changing their current situation in life. However some of these youth find themselves fighting addictions while others are broken and on the verge of giving up because of the circumstances they face daily. According to a study from The American Academy of Pediatrics attempted suicide for LGBTQ youth attempt was 20% greater than that of heterosexual youth. 

Colbert also struggled in that regard and when asked what message he had for the current foster/homeless youth that identify as LGBTQ he said, “Don’t give up and allow your circumstances to overcome you. Understand that you won’t go through turmoil forever. Seek therapy if needed and connect with those who will provide you a positive environment to grow from.” He continued, “You have a story to tell and you must go through what you are going through to tell it. Think about the little boy and little girl that’s not here yet. He or she will need your story!”

Los Angeles is taking steps to find solutions to these issues. The LA County Department of Children and Family Services partnered with current and former homeless LGBTQ youth members of the LA County Trans and Queer Youth of Color Task-force to incorporate input and feedback that is informed by firsthand experience. 

In return the Task Force recommended a set of seven implementations:

(1) make the Task Force funded, permanent and official; (2) invest more in LGBTQ programs for under-served communities; (3) train departmental staff to be more receptive of sexual orientation and gender identity expression; (4) review established policy to ensure departmental compliance; (5) develop employment programs for LGBTQ youth; (6) utilize definitive terms and plain language to increase informational access for youth; (7) close youth prisons and instead fund community-based alternatives to youth incarceration.

Hopefully these recommendations will be put into place and they will help the city of Los Angeles put an end to foster youth who become homeless, especially those that identify as LGBTQ. 

Related Posts

Nikó Sando and Malou Coffee & Kitchen Are the Newest Additions to Brentwood’s Food Scene

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Duo of New Eateries Offers Refined Japanese Sandōs and Globally Influenced Coffee Brentwood has welcomed two exciting new additions...

Dawn Richard Testifies Diddy Assaulted Cassie Ventura at a WeHo Restaurant in 2010

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Combs Hit Cassie “Hard” in Front of Usher and Ne-Yo, Says Danity Kane Star Singer and former Danity Kane member...

Exclusive Interview with Cardinale du Vin’s New Chef-in-Residence Paul Chuanchaisit

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Westside Wine Bar Expands Its Culinary Horizons With a Bold New Menu By Dolores Quintana Cardinale du Vin is...

Memorial Day Weekend in L.A.: Rosé, Beach BBQs, and Brunches Ring in the Summer

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Westside Is Packed With Culinary Events, Pop-Ups, and Parties This Weekend Angelenos looking to kick off the summer season...

(Video) Interview with Chef Roy Choi for his new book The Choi of Cooking

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

We speak with the world-famous Socal Chef in Manhattan Beach at the Los Angeles Public Library.

FDA Probes Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Recalled Cucumbers Distributed in California

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

At Least 26 People Sickened and 9 Hospitalized in Multiple States  Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of...

Thieves Use Cars to Smash Into Fairfax Stores in String of High-End Burglaries

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

LAPD Investigates String of Vehicle-Driven Break-Ins at Specialty Boutiques Storeowners in the Fairfax District are grappling with concerns about safety...

State Farm Seeks New Insurance Rate Hikes for California Homeowners and Renters

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Insurer Aims to Raise Premiums by up to 52% for Some Policyholders by 2026 Just one week after receiving approval...

Mayor Bass Launches Major Initiative to Boost Film Production in Los Angeles After Years of Neglect

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Facing Industry Setbacks, L.A. Rolls Out Plan to Attract On-Location Shoots In a renewed effort to preserve Los Angeles’ status...

Lisa Vanderpump, Ken Todd Settle Labor Lawsuit with Former Pump Employees for $490K

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Judge Approves Final Class-Action Settlement in Long-Running Wage Dispute Lisa Vanderpump and her husband, Ken Todd, have reached a final...

Michelin Three Star Institution Brings 20th Anniversary Culinary Experience to Beverly Hills

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Grant Achatz’s Alinea Heads to Beverly Hills for Summer Residency Renowned chef Grant Achatz and his team at Alinea, Chicago’s...

Deadline Approaches to Apply for GLAAD’s 2025 Black Queer Creative Summit

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Program Returns in September to Support Emerging Black LGBTQ Creatives The deadline to apply to the 2025 Black Queer Creative...

West Hollywood City Manager David Wilson to Retire After 26 Years of Public Service

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Wilson to Retire After Guiding West Hollywood Through COVID and Beyond David Wilson, West Hollywood’s City Manager and a longtime...

L.A. County DA Files Over 1,000 Felony Theft Charges Under Prop 36 in Retail Crime Crackdown

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

DA Nathan Hochman Unveils Major Enforcement Effort Targeting Organized Retail Theft Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced...

LGBTQ+ Advocates Condemn Newsom Administration Over $17 Million Health Equity Cut

May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025

LGBT Center Calls State Funding Rollback a ‘Betrayal’ of Queer and Trans Communities LGBTQ+ advocates are sharply criticizing Governor Gavin...