Spike in number of trans youth facing homelessness in Bristol

The charity akt, which provides services for LGBTQ+ youth facing homelessness, has seen a significant rise in the number of transgender youths being referred to their services in Bristol.

Trans youth being forced into lockdown with queerphobic family members, single-sex hostels denying trans people accommodation, and a lack of understanding about the issues of transphobia among local authorities could be contributing factors for this sharp rise in cases, according to akt’s service manager for Bristol,  Anne-Marie Osborne.

“I think a lot of homelessness teams, they will see a young person, and they’ll think they’re just falling out with their parents” Anne-Marie says.

“It’s really common that young people have difficulties at home and are striving for independence. I think it’s a case of them [local authorities] just not listening, and not taking the fact that it could be quite serious domestic abuse in some cases, and not safe for young person to return.”

An akt volunteer marches at Pride. Image: Joshua Cadogan

However, Anne-Marie notes that local authority homelessness teams are very open and committed to improvement when they are provided with information on LGBTQ+ specific issues.

“When we speak to local authorities, they can often be quite receptive; it’s maybe that they lack the knowledge and training around the issues. With a little bit of a communication, we get some really good outcomes for young people, with our with our intervention.”

This communication between services is a key part of akt’s work, and Anne-Marie has seen the importance of this first-hand.

“Young people might initially come across gatekeeping, or just being fobbed off. But with our input, it’s harder for local authorities to do that. They are less inclined to just turn somebody away or say, just stay in that hostile situation or abusive situation.”

Although the pandemic has exacerbated domestic struggles for LGBTQ+ youth, Anne-Marie notes that thanks to digital technology, young people have still been able to seek help from akt, and an increase in online services may have even improved access for people, including in rural areas.

“The services have been a little bit easier for people to access because of Covid, I would say. Not all young people necessarily want to see somebody face to face. Some people don’t even want to talk on the phone that much, they prefer a text sort of relationship.”

“In that sense, Covid hasn’t hasn’t been a barrier for young people accessing our services, which has been really good.”

akt Bristol is hosting an online event to promote and celebrate their services in the South West. Image: Joshua Cadogan.

Worryingly, many LGBTQ+ people trapped in abusive households or facing homelessness are still unaware that there are specific services available to support them.

According to akt’s 2021 LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report, only 44% of LGBTQ+ young people were aware of housing services the last time they experienced homelessness, and almost one quarter weren’t aware of any support services available to them.

In response, akt is hosting South West Day, an online event to raise awareness of the services they provide, and celebrate the young people they support and the work the charity does in Bristol.

“We really want to make sure that we reach all the young people that need us in the wider area.” says Anne-Marie.

“That’s our goal.”

Main Image: Sara Carpentieri

Read More: More than 300 per cent rise in single homeless people in Bristol