Though Pride House’s doors won’t be opening anytime soon, the aborted project’s needs-assessment study clearly confirmed the need for a shelter for queer homeless youth in Vancouver.
Researchers interviewed 60 local street youth in the summer of 2002 and asked them if they could use a queer shelter and, if so, what services they’d like it to have.
Among the study’s principle findings:
Though most respondents said it’s dangerous to identify as queer on the streets, almost all agreed with the need for designated queer youth housing. As one respondent told the researchers: “Most of the people I lived in group homes with were homophobic I’d have to listen to them make all these gay jokes and I just wouldn’t say anything.” Researchers found fewer services available to queer street youth than their straight counterparts.
Many respondents were on the street due to family breakdowns. As one youth said, “Life on the streets can be very dangerous for queer/trans youth. Life at ‘home’ can be very scary and very heartbreaking for queer/trans youth. Where can youth who identify as queer or trans feel safe, if being ‘home’ can be scary?”
The respondents said they’d like a queer drop-in shelter, with queer staff and an on-site nurse, a community kitchen and drop-in meals, a clothing room, and employment services.
The majority of male respondents also said they’d like queer youth rehab facilities. And while many said they’d favour a supportive, inclusive, non-judgemental atmosphere, they recommended separate areas for addicted youth and youth trying to quit drugs or alcohol.
Stressing other areas of incompatibility, the majority of respondents also recommended different floors or wings for the various sub-groups within the broader queer street youth community.
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