Another candidate for
Mother of the Year:
A woman is charged with beating her own son, all because she thinks he’s gay.
Jacqueline Alexander is charged with domestic assault.
Police said she punched her son in the face because she thinks he’s “too feminine” and gay.
Sadly, far too many LGBTQ youth face similar situations at home and the results can be
devastating:
About 40% of homeless youth are LGBT and nearly all homeless youth service providers in the U.S. now serve LGBT youth, according to a comprehensive report on LGBT youth homelessness released Thursday.
Nearly seven in 10 (68%) respondents indicated that family rejection was a major factor contributing to LGBT youth homelessness, making it the most cited factor. More than half (54%) of respondents indicated that abuse in their family was another important factor contributing to LGBT homelessness.
Statistically, LGBT youth make up no more than 10% of that population segment, yet total 40% of homeless youth.
Many of these youths are more likely to be abused
before and after they leave the home:
58 percent: The portion of homeless gay and transgender youth who have been sexually assaulted, compared to 33 percent of homeless heterosexual youth.
44 percent: The portion of homeless gay and transgender youth who reported being asked by someone on the street to exchange sex for money, food, drugs, shelter, or clothes, compared to 26 percent of straight homeless youth.
Let's hope Jaqueline Alexander's son has a safe place to finish out school and get on with his life. You may not be able to pick your first family, but you can pick your next.