Leslie Kelly:For Gay Community, Finding Acceptance Is Even More Difficult on the Streets

Recently, the city of San Francisco has seen an increase in abrupt evictions, and, as a result, homelessness. A recent study has also shed light upon something most people probably hadn't thought much about: a considerable fraction of the homeless population identifies as gay, bisexual, and transgender. Of course, these aren't the only sexualities or genders out there, but were the ones talked about most in this article. Many people who find themselves in this situation don't even turn to homeless shelters because of the amount of harassment and potential violence they'd face there. So, a new shelter targeted more at helping them is being built. I don't know how exactly it'll work, like, "Oh hey you're homeless but straight go away." Yeah probably not quite like that. Anyway, as a not straight person myself this article naturally got me thinking. I mean, we see homeless people every day but it's so much easier to assume that they must be dead-beats or alcoholics, rather than people who have known your own struggles, people with names and faces worth looking at for longer than a quick, embarrassed glance. I'm really glad that San Francisco is targeted these issues and hope that all the homeless citizens, straight or othwise, will have access to a safe environment while they try to get back on their feet. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/us/for-gay-community-finding-acceptance-is-even-more-difficult-on-the-streets.html?from=homepage