Posted on June 24, 2024 View all news
June is Pride Month, and Sarah’s Circle is proud to stand with and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while also acknowledging the hardships these individuals face.
Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community often face discrimination in many areas of their lives, and housing is no exception. Compared to non-LGBTQ+ people, this group has higher rates of poverty, lower rates of homeownership, and higher rates of homelessness. (Williams Institute, UCLA) These individuals also face an array of stigma that undermines their ability to have stable, safe, and affordable housing. Within shelter systems, many transgender individuals have been turned away solely due to their gender identity, or have been subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse when forced to stay with members of the sex they were assigned at birth (especially in the case of transgender women). (National Coalition for the Homeless) Federal, state, and local laws provide only a patchwork of protections against anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in housing and social services.
Sarah’s Circle commits to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff, volunteers, and all women in need of our services, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. We wish our community a very Happy Pride Month, and thank you for supporting our crucial mission!
