State Senate Pledges to Protect LGBTQ Homeless Youth with Unanimous Vote

ALBANY- Senator Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan) released the following statement in response to the unanimous passage of S1481 through the State Senate. The bill would require LGBTQ specific training for runaway and homeless youth providers.

Senator Hoylman said: “LGBTQ youth are nearly twice as likely as their peers to experience homelessness, rendering them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It is critical, then, that our shelter system is equipped to handle the distinct challenges faced by LGBTQ youth. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. The New York State Senate's vote today means that providers of runaway and homeless youth services will finally have the tools they need to serve LGBTQ kids with the dignity and compassion they deserve.  I’m proud to be a member of a Conference that protects our most vulnerable New Yorkers, and thank Leader Stewart-Cousins and my co-sponsor, Senator Serrano, for their leadership on this critical issue.”
S1481 requires employees of state-approved runaway and homeless youth providers to undergo training to ensure they are prepared to address issues of homophobia and transphobia in the shelter system. Providers would be required to learn the appropriate terminology for trans and gay youth such as proper pronoun usage, and respect the confidentiality of LGBTQ status as it relates to children and their families. 

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