Here’s how you can help LGBTQ youth facing homelessness or hostile environments this Christmas

Words: Cameron Wood; Image: Pexels

Over this holiday period, many of us will be enjoying time with family and friends. But for many LGBTQ+ young people, those in unsupportive homes and who aren’t out to their families, it can be incredibly isolating. Dangerous, even, as some will risk everything by escaping with nowhere else to stay. 

Akt is a charity, supported by the Attitude Magazine Foundation, that helps LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment. 

Coming out, or being outed as LGBTQ+, can lead to young people being made homeless with a sad 24% of homeless young people identifying as LGBTQ+. This Christmas, young people in need of support can reach out to akt’s live chat for help and advice.  The service is used by a third of the people they help in need of immediate accommodation or facing abuse, violence or hostility. 

The Attitude Magazine Foundation has launched the akt Christmas Appeal to help the wonderful volunteers at akt be there for those who need their help. Not just over Christmas but into the cold winter, too. Any amount is welcome. But £15 could help akt pay for a young person’s mobile data top-up and transport to emergency accommodation. £100 would cover the cost of a two-day stay at emergency accommodation.

You can support the Attitude Magazine Foundation’s Christmas appeal by donating online here or you can text ‘AKT’ followed by the amount you’d like to give to 70560.

Every donation made to the appeal will go directly to akt and the work they undertake across the UK to help improve the lives of young LGBTQ+ people in distress.

For more information about akt, how it helps LGBTQ+ young homeless people or maybe how it could help you, please go to akt.org.uk.