NCFY Recommends: Videos Give Tips for Serving LGBTQ Homeless Youth

Meet Toby, Loch, and the youth of Larkin Street Youth Services, and learn more about the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are homeless.

“Larkin Street Stories: Serving Homeless LGBTQ Youth” is a three-part video series offering tips on best practices for providers serving LGBTQ homeless youth.

Larkin Street Youth Services, a Family and Youth Services Bureau grantee in San Francisco, partnered with SAMHSA to create this series of videos.

• The Homeless LGBT Experience (Episode 1) describes the importance of being "present" for youth and helping youth see their own strengths and resources. In it, youth talk about being rejected by their families because of their LGBTQ identity and having to leave home as a result.
• Confronting Hate Speech and Homophobia (Episode 2) gives tips on how to create a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ youth, including how to handle hate speech.
• Neither/Nor: Working with Transgender Youth (Episode 3) explores the importance of never making assumptions about a young person's sexual identity or gender expression, and empowering youth to reach their full potential.

Visit SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center to learn more and see all the videos.