Gender and Homelessness: Understanding the Unique Struggles of Women and LGBTQ+ Individuals

In Canada, it is important to acknowledge that about 23,000 - 35,000 people are homeless daily. However, 27% of this number is made up of women and 40% of homeless people are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+. Homeless women have a great deal of struggle trying to survive in the modern world. [Causes of homelessness. Calgary Homeless Foundation. (2023, May 29).]

Women

Homeless women usually face a lot of different challenges than a homeless man would. Women are victimized, sexually assaulted, and physically abused. It has been found that women are usually forced to trade themselves for a safe place to sleep. A few challenges that they have to face are: [Dukule, I. (2023, July 6). The intersection of gender and homelessness - addressing the root causes of women’s homelessness. Fred Victor.]

1. Prostitution: Women who are in desperate need of money and don’t have a job or any place to stay are most likely to be forced to take up prostitution or they end up trading themselves in exchange for their safety.

2. Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is one of the largest contributions to women going homeless. It has been found that if women have been sexually and physically abused, they are left with no other choice but to leave their house, which leads to them being homeless.

3. Unplanned pregnancies: Young girls and women are expected to be kicked out of their homes because of unplanned pregnancies, due to being rejected help from their parents, family, and friends, causing them to be homeless.

These are just some reasons why women face unique challenges when they are homeless then other genders. Women are represented as one of the fastest growing groups for homelessness.

2SLGBTQIA+

Many 2SLGBTQIA+ are homeless due to discrimination, despite the fact that we live in progressive times. A few reasons for 2SLGBTQIA+ going homeless are:

1. Housing: When looking for a home, the needs for 2SLGBTQIA+ are different from other people living in Canada because they must consider their access to social and medical services and their desire to live in a community that is open and welcoming. [2SLGBTQIA+ housing needs and challenges. CMHC. (n.d.).]

2. Sexual Orientation: A huge reason why a lot of 2SLGBTQIA+ members are homeless is due to discrimination from their family and friends, as well as from systematic cissexism.

These are just a few reasons why the 2SLGBTQIA+ are homeless in Canada.

In Canada a lot of people are going homeless on a daily basis. Women and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ are getting kicked out of their homes and becoming homeless every day, and it is necessary for the government as well as us, as citizens, to redirect focus to this growing issue.

References

2SLGBTQIA+ housing needs and challenges. CMHC. (n.d.).

Causes of homelessness. Calgary Homeless Foundation. (2023, May 29).

Dukule, I. (2023, July 6). The intersection of gender and homelessness - addressing the root causes of women’s homelessness. Fred Victor.