Discrimination, Stigmatization and Homelessness within the LGBTQ2S+ Community
Take a listen to our latest episode of Homelessness in Hiding: Our Youth Between the Cracks to absorb the knowledge of how the unique experiences of youth identifying as LGBTQ2S+ result in discrimination, stigmatization, and homelessness.
Host Mya Moniz sits down with Nick Beckett, a youth worker and local homeless youth and LGBTQ2S+ youth advocate. Nick defines the difference between stigmatization and discrimination, two social actions often confused with each other, through the lens of LGBTQ2S+ youth and their experiences with both phenomena. He explains that stigmas are labels and hurtful assumptions that hurt the core of the individual, affecting their physical, mental and emotional health while discrimination is unfair treatment by society due to a person’s identity.
Nick further explains that discrimination and stigmatization are the main causes of an LGBTQ2S+ youth experiencing homelessness, whether these factors occur before, during, or after a youth’s time on the streets or in hidden homelessness. Nick is hoping to raise awareness for this issue and educate our listeners on some ways we as a society can address these issues, and reduce some of the statistics this community is facing.
Nick's participation in the podcast and his work with youth in the communities of Peel and Toronto are appreciated by REST Centres.
To listen to the full conversation and other related topics to homelessness and youth homelessness in the Peel Region, you can subscribe to Homelessness in Hiding: Our Youth Between the Cracks so you won’t miss our newest release.
SOME RESOURCES:
Covenant House Toronto // YMCA Sprott House // Gerstein Crisis Centre