Local organization Teen Living Programs was the only Chicago agency to attend the recent first national advisory council meeting on LGBTQ youth homelessness.
The event, which took place Oct. 19, was 'long overdue,' said Dr. Ozella Phillips who attended the conference. She serves as a member of Teen Living Programs' leadership team. At the meeting, agencies discussed the growing problem of LGBT homelessness, the lack of government funding and more.
Teen Living Programs works with homeless youth in the Chicago area, and is an agency committed to inclusion.
Although the East and West coasts appear to be more progressive when it comes to tackling the problem of LGBT youth homelessness, Phillips said she learned that Chicago is definitely ahead of the game compared to other Midwestern cities because it has more welcoming agencies. The third largest city in the country, however, is struggling to address the growing problem of LGBT youth on the streets.
Phillips said that her passion for inclusion was 'further ignited' after leaving the national meeting, especially because she was surrounded by discussions of the ongoing Employment Non-Discrimination Act controversy.
'It's easy to marginalize those who are already marginalized,' she said.
In Phillips' opinion, LGBT agencies shouldn't be the only ones responsible for solving the problem of homelessness among its youth. She agrees that although they play a large role, LGBT organizations shouldn't be the only ones working towards a solution. 'They need strong support, and I don't think they can do it alone,' she said.
In order for progress to be made in the Chicago area, 'partnership has to happen,' Phillips stressed, adding that agencies, community members, politicians and others need to work together and create a solution and alleviate the issues LGBT homeless youth face. Most important, Phillips said, is that the community listen to what LGBT youth need and want.
'Our young people's voices need to be heard,' she said.