OurChart's Bloggers
Our Favorite Sites
Tips?
thehookup@ourchart.com
My Address: A Look At Gay Youth Homelessness
April 4, 2007 - 10:29pm — editor
Hi everyone. I’m excited to announce that we’re getting ready to launch my debut OurChart video project. It’s a documentary webseries about an issue I think is extremely important yet gravely overlooked—gay youth homelessness. I know this sounds like some pretty serious fare for OurChart. In fact, it’s a subject I never expected to be so touched by. But after visiting a gay youth homeless shelter in Los Angeles last year, I knew it was a topic I couldn’t turn my back on.
To begin to investigate this issue, I went to New York City with my friend and director, Gigi Nicolas. We visited the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI)—the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit social service, education and advocacy organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ youth. As we quickly learned, homelessness is a difficult topic to explore—mainly because the kids who deal with it are largely untraceable, moving from couch to couch or shelter to shelter, living beneath the radar. Through HMI, however, we met some amazing young people who’ve either struggled with housing, been a part of “the system” or have known people who have. Their stories gave us an intimate look at homelessness and the multitude of related issues LGBTQ youth face everyday.
Unfortunately, we only got to spend a few days filming with the HMI youth and counselors, so our project merely scratches at the surface of our country’s systemic and nationwide “epidemic” of gay youth homelessness. We hope that our efforts in New York will serve as springboard to a feature documentary in which we can give this topic the full attention it deserves.
In the meantime, I can’t wait to introduce you to the young people we met and to share our videos with you. I’ve posted these photographs from our shoot for now, and this Sunday, we’ll have a video “sneak peek” up on the site to let you know what’s in store. So please stay tuned, check back often…and let me know what you think!
-Kate
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Recent comments
- "YES...
- She touched me too...
- Lonbeach this is beautiful and touching. I'm always impressed by your ability to see every side of life situations. You ...
- They also have a bullet that's activated by your cell phone. Phone rings, vibe starts up until the call ends. Could make ...
- You will be in my prayers, Jennifer and I will light candles for your safe passage. Good luck, be safe, have fun...
167 Comments
Good Job!
Kate, I think you are really doing a VERY good job...can't find other words...I keep it simple! Thank you!
Congratulations!
Congratulations to you Kate, Gigi and everyone else involved in your project. I hope you, your cause and those kids in the HMI would gain the much needed attention and support from the community, the parents and whomever can give it.
I live outside the US and no means to help the project's cause, but I hope these words are enough to make encourage you and make you realize that you all are truly doing a good deed.
I for one am looking up to you Kate, you are a role model for doing this.
...cris
*same post in slideshow page*
______________________________________________________________
If only this was a perfect world, then we can see Shane and Carmen together again...sigh!
I am new on this site and I
I am new on this site and I have to say that this report gets(touches) me a lot.
I am French and I did not think that in our time(period) and especially in the United States it could again exist. It is horrible and inhuman.
Kate you are an extraordinary woman with a big heart besides being a good actress.
Congratulations I hope that things are fast going to change and that people are finally going to realize in which world we live.
thank you ourchart and kate
omg.....u guys hit a soft spot here...........my uncle (deceased)was gay...an his parents (my grandparents0, are pastors of a born-again-christian church...and they are soooooo homophobic)...well honestly i dont know all the bits in between..if he got thrown out..or if he left (because no one wants to talk about it)....but all i know is that in the end.he died alone in a hospital bed...........(my mom was like she wasnt going to waste her time on him any more)
.....and this breaks my heart cuz i havent come out to my family yet and i dont expect any decent reaction from them...im just dont want to die alone...with a broken heart...
Afi My sympathies… Please
Afi
My sympathies…
Please do not fear, bide your time and learn all you can. If the time feels right for you, you will know and you will speak. But please, do not fear dying alone. We tend to gravitate to those who support us and are like us—we do long to connect with those who no longer connect with us, but it does not mean we are alone.
Family is of all shapes and colors and races. Family is what we make it—it’s home. Just know that being outcasted from blood, does not mean no family and aloneness.
Search for others to call family and never give up—wish you luck :)
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece! :)
I <3 KATE
HI KATE...
I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS...I MEAN I'VE NEVER MET YOU BUT YOU SEEM REALLY CONCERNED AND DOWN TO EARTH ABOUT THIS SITUATION...MY FELLOW HOMOSEXUALS CAN LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND HOPEFULLY THE HOMOFOBES CAN LOOK AT THIS, THEN PICK THEIR FACE UP OFF THE FLOOR, AND REALIZE THAT WE GO THOUGH A LOT OF EMOTIONAL THINGS NOT KNOWING IF WE'RE WELCOME BACK IN THE HOUSE AFTER WE COME OUT TO OUT FAMILY...I JUST CAN'T BE MORE THANFUL. I LOVE THE HARD WORK AND EFFORT THAT YOU'RE PUTTING INTO THIS...
THANX
*JAMIE*
Way a Go..
Thank for show that side of how homosexual get treated by their family. This hit home for me b/c me and my girlfriend decide that were not goin to tell our family. We know that would get kick out and we have connect with that we love and the ones in our family that know about us say that we belong to together and love us.
Now that 19 I could tell me family but the connect between me and my cousin are to deep to let my family thro me away like trash so decide to keep my mouth close my relationship with this amazing person that will do anything for me.
My girlfriend family told that will kick her out if they find she gay. They have gardened her for been friend with a lesbians. They try everything in the book to keep her away from gay people and something that not in the book. I just want to say THANK YOU for show what TV don't show about gay life style.
SAD TO KNOW
DEAR arisalez: SAD TO KNOW YOUR SITUATION...BUT MY OWN ISN´T FAR FROM THIS. SOMETIMES WE DON´T NEED TO SAY OUR FAMILY, WE JUST LIVE OUR LIFES AND WITH TIME, THE THINGS BECOMES MORE EASY, WITHOUT HURTING ANYONE. SOMETIMES ,WITH THE FAMILY, IT´S ALWAYS HARD. KEEP GOING AND SMILE ! OUR FRIENDS ARE OUR FAMILY TOO AND THEY´LL SUPPORT US FOREVER...
BE HAPPY, KISS FROM BRAZIL
life is hell
I know of some young people who have it rough with parents who don't want gay children.They go through hell.Yet they survive.Just to survive isn't enough.They need to know that there are people who do care and want beat them for the choice they make.These kids grow up thinking this is normal.They need to know that there is more out there than hate.Good going Kate!!More people need to get involved.
Eva
This is a issue that hits
This is a issue that hits close to home for me because since i came out when i was 15 i have been kicked out of my home at least 65 times for months, weeks, or etc. I have been beaten by my parents disowned and talked about...not only did it hurt effected my self esteem and my grades... I am still subject to the problem but i have learned to become stronger and deal with it until i am able to be on my own...i work to support myself and now i am satisfied with bein me..but 4 all these ppl who think if i had the chance i would have hid it is wrong...i rather live in hell being me than live in heaven being someone else.
Charell Peterkin
respect
its true that it is not easy to really 'get a grip' on this important issue respectively the people affected by homelessness, partly because they don't want to 'exposed'.
all the more creditable is the effort you guys put in this video project using your reputation in a positive way to attract attention to this widespread yet widely ignored problem and try to make a difference.
i take my imaginary hat off to you.
best wishes from berlin/germany
luise
Way to go!!!!
Way to go Kate.... right on for the preview.... I have worked with homless teen in the bayarea in the past, I guess it time to get my ass out there again and do more. So keep up the good work.... and I'll do as much as I can up here.
Pat
inspiration
thankyou for all that you are doing! it is an inspiration, hearing that you are doing this just makes me want to do even more to help the community. thankyou again for the inspiration
-Tegan
-Tegan
-Tegan
Excellent work.
I admire you.
Huge Heart
Hey Kate,
I just wanted to say what a huge heart you have to take on a project like this. To have someone in the public eye to actually step up to the plate and be a voice for these people is truly amazing and i applaud you.
I always knew you were amazing and kind hearted and caring.
I'm actually from England but living and working in the Boston area til Nov 15th ( coming to see you at L3 :-) at the end of nov back in England )
If there's anything i can do to help, just ask.
Love and hugs to a wonderful woman,
Shaz
xoxoxoxox
HEY SHAZUK!!!!!!
Hey SHAZUK, it's that chick you know from the MB FORUMS, y'know?, k.k.03, remember me!!!? Great to see your post on here, & I am in ABSOLUTE FULL agreement with you, Kate is one superb person, a beautiful heart!!
I hope your endeavours out there are shining thru'& going fine, & that you are alright!!
YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL, KATE!!!!!
Kudos to you for supporting a project you truly believe in and dedicating your time to make a difference! You make us proud!
MAY THE WIND ALWAYS BE AT YOUR BACK AND THE SUN ALWAYS UPON YOUR FACE, AND THE WINDS OF DESTINY CARRY YOU ALOFT TO DANCE WITH THE STARS!
When?
They did say they would show a preview of this on sunday waiting to see a preview when will they post it?
Homelessness....
I think the thing here is how to define the word "Homeless"...
Life is not easy, and meant to be imperfect...gay life is especially full with disencouragment and disagreement...face it, bear it,be patient to it...
wait and see......the sun will shine in another day...
Right - because platitudes
Right - because platitudes and lyrics from Annie the musical really do help someone who doesn't have anywhere to go, no money, no job and no hope.
Ready to know something new and not the norm? or is it
Looking forward to learning lots from your documentary.
Have nothing to say on the subject, but I am interested in learning more since you presented this documentary.
Bring it on.
Tigerzip People Like You Are The Problem
Tigerzipfile-
Your comments are extremely offensive. First of all I find it disconcerting that anyone would be of the opinion that youth deserve to be homeless. I am also perturbed that you would suggest that a child should repress their sexual identity if it makes their family uncomfortable. Additionally you insinuate that it is legitimate for a family to kick out a child on the basis of sexual orientation or for that matter any reason. I am saddened that anyone in this community could be so ignorant and misinformed.
I would just like to encourage you to gather some information on the matter. I think it would behoove you to do some reading not only on the gay homeless issue but also on homelessness itself and perhaps on adolescence and family systems. Take a look at the latest research on homeless gay youth http://www.thetaskforce.org/reports_and_research/homeless_youth.
Grasshopper
Please see my site etiquette post below. I'd appreciate it if you would not personally attack me by calling me a "problem", as I would never personally attack you or any poster on this site. I appreciate your viewpoints in response to my viewpoints. I'm taking the higher road here, and I will look at your link to expand my knowledge, even though you have personally attacked me in the title of your post. At the end of the day, we are all decent human beings here, I hope. We just may have different viewpoints. And you know, that is okay.
AS far as I am concerned,
AS far as I am concerned, each story has yet been told...it’s just kind being prejudgment to conclude whether are the parents or children's tributes to gay kids homelessness...
Or maybe it is easier to say that if the society is openly accept to the homosexuality, then being gay would not be the cause of kid's homelessness.
And if the parents are open minded about certain issues and less hostile toward to their gay kids, I certainly think gay kids can just wait a few years to be gay then...
Could sexual orientation really be a gender, like boy or girl?
"And if the parents are open minded about certain issues and less hostile toward to their gay kids, I certainly think gay kids can just wait a few years to be gay then..."
Gay does not wait. It has no time value, it just is. To assume all children are straight...all teenagers are straight until they have sex?? Sexuality awareness becomes real and happens as puberty happens-- but to be honest, we are born sexual and have the capacity of understanding sexuality as toddlers--or shall I say identities. We just know a boy is a boy and a girl is a girl and there are kids that are different--we are born with this innate ability at identifying similarities--even as sex (gender).
With that in mind, can we also assume that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and all those in between and those that have yet been named, are in deed a real gender besides just boy or girl? So is it sexual orientation, or is it a legit gender. And if it is a gender, how can we tell someone to wait 'till your 18 to just be? So, are our youth supposed to be absolute nothing until then, or should we allow our children to discover themselves just as we did?
Every person has, as a baby, discovered their genitalia and categorized to learn—facial features and so on. I really think this whole ‘gaydar’ thing is a part of that innate ability of the gender recognition. How can we deny a person’s gender till they become a certain age?
rovermom :)
Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece! :)
Re: Wait 'til next year to be gay...
I'm not sure I'm following what you're saying. You said, "I certainly think gay kids can just wait a few years to be gay then..."
So, what... Is it, I won't be gay this year, but next year I will? Kinda' like changing hair colors! Lol...
Remember in TLW season1,
Remember in TLW season1, people were talking about when is Dana going to come out~~they said Tennis player like college kids, has to wait till graduate....to come out~~~or something like it~~~
I didn't mean kid's sexuality needs to be manipulated or anyting, it is just like a house rule your parents have, then you have to obey no matter what~~~it does not only regard gay kids, but also straight kids....
Okay, I'm following ya'
Okay, I'm following ya' now...
When I first read you say, "wait to be gay...", I wasn't relating it to "coming out".
SEE...we all get lost
SEE...we all get lost sometimes~~~but at least we can find our way back~~~
You probably know about these guys, too, but--
I worked with the Ali Forney Center in NYC over the winter break. There's some overlap with HMI, (LGBTQ kids in NYC, mostly kids of color) but I highly recommend talking to them.
It's specifcally a homeless drop in center, so they put people in different homes temporarily in Brooklyn and Manhattan. They hook them up with jobs and medical care as well.
In short, they're great.
You are amazing :)
Great idea. Continue doing these projects, we are watching your steps :))
"The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking."
this touches close to home for me
Kate, I knew there was a deeper reason why I always felt a connection to you.I always can relate to your character on the show, and now I relate to what you are doing for homeless gay youths. My niece is 15 years old. She has been the most important person in my life since the day she was born. From the first moment I looked into her blue eyes the day she was born, I knew that she would be just like me. Sure enough years went by and now she is out as a gay teen living in a very closed minded society of Indiana. I am in Portland Oregon and I visit my niece often, and we talk on the phone daily. The reason for me writing is that my niece is thinking of running away, and the law says if I take her in I will be charged with a felony. They say it's better for me to let her live on the streets. My sweet niece needs my help, she has turned to drugs to escape and her parents(my twin sister) does nothing about it. They just keep her in the house away from her girlfriend and tell her that shes going to hell. I want custody of her, I fear for her safety and the damage that all this is doing to her. I know from first hand because I went through all this unacceptance as a teen as well. I think what you are doing is very admirable, makes me think that ther is hope. thank you for your time..Jen
Thank you for opening my eyes
Kate, I was not aware that homelessness was a big problem for gay youth until now. Being a young gay is never easy but I didn't realize it could be so tough.
I grew up in a rather open-minded family with a very loving mother and it took me ages to come out. I did it when I decided to live with my girl friend. But at that time I already had a good job and a place of my own.
I always thought that the most serious problem young gays had to deal with was AIDS. Probably because I was 20 at the beginning of the 80's. Thanks to you I am now aware that some of us have another VERY serious problem to face.
I live in Paris (France) and have never heard about gay youth homelessness here, probably because nobody talks about that. I will contact gay associations and see if I can help.
Thanks a lot.
Sneak Peak??
I thought they were going to be posting a preview of this today?
Role of Meth
I look forward to your documentary Kate! I encounter marginalized gay youth frequently in my job and have noticed a high rate of meth use among them. Many come from half decent homes but some come from horrible homes. I'm not sure what comes first, the meth use or the homelessness. It is clear though, that they are looking for acceptance and often find it with other troubled youth. Their use of meth pulls them into a self-destructive lifestyle that is very difficult to pull out of. They frequently resort to identity theft and fraud - often the source of the fashionable clothing people have already commented on in this blog (I'm not saying this is the case for Kate's documentary subjects as I don't know their story). Kate, I hope your film touches on this and your subjects are able to speak to this matter.
BorisTheDog
Vancouver, Canada
An Important Issue
Having formerly worked for an urban non profit for adults. I can tell you that I've heard many stories of homelessness starting when they were still in their youth. Sexual orientation was definately an issue whether the youth had chosen to leave home or was asked to leave because of intolerent views. When a young person is rejected by family because of such an essential part of who they are it makes it even more difficult to face the challenges that life throws at all of us.
Kudos to you for bringing attention to this story.
Looking forward to viewing!
"Stand in your own space and know you are there."
kate
can't wait for the documentary,
before anyone can do something about a problem its importent to know about it, and its great that a celebrity
like you wants to and takes time to wake the world up about this.
my respect to you, and your heart shines on us
Beautifully put.
Beautifully put, KIM H. You're words are gorgeous, I hope Kate is intending on reading the feed back, she did invite ppls views & opinions. What you have said is SPOT ON!!
thankxxx
tanxxxxxxx for your nice response,
and i also hope kate will read this stuff
It's a shame that not more
It's a shame that not more people are like you Kate.
Katherine Moennig - Pure perfection.
YE GODS, YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LJUNGAN, WOW, you are so right, Kate is the epitomy of goodness!! If a lot more people were even remotely like Kate, there would be less cyniscism, a lot more truth, & honesty. Kate, you wanted opinions, darlin', you've got them,lol. As for the praise, oh man, you deserve the BARREL load that is being aimed at you!!
As LJUNGAN,has said,.... PURE PERFECTION.
Hey Girl
Don't let the haters get u down. Ur doing a gd thing.
R. x
Here's and idea
Dear Kate,
I want to thank you for bringing light to a subject that most would rather not think about. There is an organization here in Las vegas that one of my friends is involved with. its called the Nevada partnership for homeless youth. I know it doesnt just cover the homeless gay youth, but is does have some that are gay, most of the children who are involved with the organization are just homeless and couch surf if you want to know more please send me a message.
Homless youth
There is a problem throughout our country. I was one of those youth sentenced to a life on the streets... not a pretty thing... If you can help one person that is half the battle. I got lucky, I found a beautiful hearted woman who helped many of us try to get a normal life.
She saved me and tried to save many others.There are groups out there trying to get these young and promising children out of a life of prostitution and drug use.
A suggestion when trying to help... don't give them money take them to lunch, breakfast or dinner if appropriate. Talk to them,like an adult,find out what their dreams,goals and aspirations are. If you talk to them like children they will not respect you or the things you do to try and help them.
Help them find scholorships to get back to school and become contributing adults in our society. Don't ask for anything in return.. tell them that if they want to give you something back that they,when able, should help someone in need.
These are children who have seen many horrible thing in their short lives and have had bad things happen and when something good comes along they are wary.
Meet them as often as possible. This is how we as a society can help these kids. Volunteer at a local shelter, even if it is not a gay shelter, these children are our future teach them well now and we will be taken care of in our older years.
Drama Queen E.S.Q
Dear Kate
You´re a wonderful person and I get more and more impressed by you. Thank you for who you are!
Hugs, kisses and lovely greetings from Argentina!
You are a kind-hearted person.
Kate, don't worry, it's excellent idea. I hope, that it will be pleasing for you and for all people.
Are we treating the problem or the symptom?
Alright, I see my last post generated 16 replies, is that a site record? Not trying to be controversial here- just honest.
So, doesn't anyone think that youth, age 18 and under should follow the rules of the house that they live in? It is called respecting your parents. And youth these days have seemed to lost that concept. Under the age of 18 you cannot vote, you cannot make any legal decisions on your own as a minor, etc. Your parents are paying your bills and giving you food and shelter. I think you should respect their rules until you are old enough to support yourself and go out on your own. Whether that is, be it: not smoking, not drinking, not being able to date a particular person your parents dislike (male or female), not being able to express a certain sexual orientation at home because it makes your parents uncomfortable, etc. I don't think that kids under 18 should be able to do whatever the h*ll they want and need to learn to respect their parents wishes until they are an adult. I cannot believe that a parent is going to kick their child out on the street if the child is disciplined and respects the parent's wishes. Kids are getting tatoos and genital piercings under the age of 18 because some parent's have completely lost control. Other kids are bringing guns to school. I bet you with all of these homeless youth stories, there are two sides to the story. Let's hope that Kate was only smart enough to sit down with the parents that kicked these kids out of the house and hear their sides of the story. Maybe it was more than the 'gay' factor, maybe the kids where out of control and not following the rules of the house.
I've got very mixed feelings on this issue. Are the homeless kids the problem? Or are the parents the problem and the kids are the symptoms of the problem? If the later, then why is Kate focusing on the symptom and not the problem? Or perhaps she has done interviews with the parents.
Are you sending a double message?
I love how you are saying that children should make their parents happy. You are right, when you say they don't pay for anything so therefore they have no rights. But you are wrong. I can trace my homelessness back to something other than my parents, because I didn't have parents when I came out. I was 15 and my mom was dead. My father was a deadbeat dad. My sister was a drug addict. And I am a lesbian. I don't have a tatoo, the first and the only piercing I have was given to me while my mother was alive in the ear. I am respectful, but situations forced me to be a homeless gay youth. I don't blame my parents, because they had no idea. I thank my mother for teaching me values, respect, and how to be a strong woman. Don't get me wrong, I broke my fair share of rules, but I wasn't kicked out for that by my parents. However, in many cases, if parents eyes were not so jaded to the lifestyle, then so many kids would not be lost on the street. Now I am all for following the rules. But my mother told me never to lie. Does that just mean to them, or to yourself?
I don't blame my parents, I thank them. But those kids who get kicked out of their house for telling the truth about themselves are being given a double message.
Tigerzip, I agree with you
Tigerzip,
I agree with you that it's all too easy to focus on one side of the story and BOTH sides should be heard. Yet, at the same time, can you come up with any case of a child being homeless wherein the root cause of the child being on the streets cannot be traced back to the parents?
I cannot. Even when you're talking about serious disciplinary problems I'd guesstimate that 99.9% of the time, those disciplinary problems are a symptom and NOT a root cause.
Without telling my life story (as it's no one's business but my own), I've been through this, watched my older sister go through the same thing and I'm watching a younger sibling go through a very similar situation as I write this.
When it was my older sister... I thought it was her fault and that she was a "bad kid." When it was me, I thought it was all my mom's fault. And now, at 32, watching my younger sister go through the same thing all over again, I can see with a little more objectivity that I was more correct in my second assessment.
My younger sister has done some REALLY super rotten stuff but the fact of the matter is, as I've watched over the years, her disciplinary issues are, at the root, the fault of a parent who wasn't willing to BE A PARENT and the end result is a child verging on adulthood with no respect, no sense of obligation to anyone or anything and who has become a sociopath in every sense of the word. It's tragic and if blame must be placed then it rests squarely on the shoulders of the parent (however much I love her) who enabled the behavior.
-Frankie
"The Religion then of every man must be left to the conviction and conscience of every man; and it is the right of every man to exercise it as these may dictate. This right is in its nature an unalienable right. It is unalienable; because the opinions o