People are identifying publicly as LGBT at younger ages than in the past. Many LGBT individuals face harassment, violence, stigma, rejection, and discrimination in their families, schools, employment, and social settings. LGBT youth face the ire and rejection of unaccepting family members and are often unable to access traditional shelter settings when they find themselves homeless through no fault of their own. Although Essex County has one of the highest rates of homelessness in New Jersey, there is a woeful lack of services for LGBT individuals in this community.
We work to offer: