why we exist campaign

In 2023, a charity that supports LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homelessness, should not need to exist. This campaign is about why akt is needed and how we help.

Minutes

akt wasn’t set up to be a long-running charity. But, 34 years later, LGBTQ+ young people are still experiencing hostility, violence and other forms of prejudice which lead to homelessness.

With almost a quarter of homeless young people identifying as LGBTQ+, our services are now more vital than ever.

#whyweexist campaign 2023:

Over 24% of young people experiencing homelessness in the UK identify as LGBTQ+. Despite LGBTQ+ young people being disproportionately affected by homelessness, LGBTQ+ youth homelessness is still treated as a marginal issue.

In 2023, it is unacceptable that so many young LGBTQ+ people are still facing rejection, abuse, homelessness and struggling to get the support they deserve.

A charity like akt that supports LGBTQ+ young people living in hostile environments or experiencing homelessness, should not need to exist. Like many members of the LGBTQ+ Community, we are frustrated.

For this campaign, we wanted to show have far we have come but also how much of fight we still have left when it comes to making sure every LGBTQ+ young person is able to live freely and access safe and affordable housing.

LGBTQ+ stories and the challenges our community faces don’t begin and end at LGBTQ+ History Month or Pride Month, they are year round. That is #WhyWeExist.

THE DATA GAP

From our research we know that up to 24% of young people identify as LGBTQ+. However, the government does not publish statistics on sexuality and gender identity across age and there are still significant issues with the quality of the data recorded. This means we have no accurate way of understanding the number of LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homeless today in 2023 and their housing outcomes.

email your mp and ask them to show up for LGBTQ+ young people experiencing homelessness:

On June 14th we’re holding an event in parliament, where we will be asking MPs to support akt and our work. But we need your help getting there. We need you to write to your MP asking them to attend our event and put LGBTQ+ youth homelessness on the agenda.

All you need to do is enter your postcode via the form below, fill in your name and postcode and hit send! you’ll be making a huge difference to the lives of LGBTQ+ young people at risk of homelessness or living in hostile environments. Thank you!

 

LGBTQ+ history timeline:

This timeline shows how far we have come, and how much of a fight we still have left. Click on the preview below to view it in full, download and share.

LGBTQ+ history map

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we created a timeline of political and historical landmarks that have impacted queer life in the UK and beyond. Life can be very difficult for LGBTQ+ people, decisions are made on our behalf, and we know that just because we have made steps forward, doesn’t mean that progress and equity has been achieved.

A cost of living crisis, increased levels of hate on the streets and in the press, mean that LGBTQ+ young people are particularly vulnerable. Every young person should have the freedom to live freely in an environment that is safe and supportive, that’s #WhyWeExist.