LGBT homeless teens in Baton Rouge to get housing

Baton Rouge, La. (AP) — A Baton Rouge nonprofit emergency shelter for young people has opened a new facility specifically geared toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

The Advocate in Baton Rouge reports that Youth Oasis's Diversity House will contain nine fully-furnished apartments where homeless people ages 16 to 21 can live for 12 to 18 months and receive counseling and life-skills training. The center is expected to open in January.

Youth advocates say specialized housing can be especially important for LGBT youth in need because they are over-represented in the homeless population and are more likely to be sexually exploited and dismissed from jobs.

Social worker Amanda Cloyd says LGBT youth seem to be getting rejected from state foster care in greater numbers.

The Department of Children and Family Services declined to comment on whether LGBT youth were being denied care from foster families.

Information From: The Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA.

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The Gayly – November 27, 2015 @ 4:20 P.M.