Study details lives of LGBT youths engaged in 'survival sex'

[suzifrommd]

Study details lives of LGBT youths engaged in 'survival sex'

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/20150225_ap_142333a7a0fe4620b404d289e6a986da.html

David Crary, The Associated Press
Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 12:14 AM

A unique federally funded study offers a detailed look at the lives of gay, lesbian and transgender youth in New York City who cope with homelessness and poverty by engaging in what the researchers call "survival sex."

In extensive interviews conducted over three years by the Urban Institute, 283 young people spoke about experiencing family rejection, establishing support networks with groups of their peers, and learning how to subsist on earnings from sexual encounters. Many said there were positive aspects to their lives, but a large majority expressed a yearning to get out of the sex business.

[Asche]

However, more than 80 percent said there were positive aspects...

"It's not as bad as sleeping under the bridge, it's not as bad as going without food," one respondent said.

Goes to show how privileged my life has been.  It has never occurred to me to see sleeping under a bridge or going without food as a real possibility (for me.)

Although some people have posted at susans.org (recently) indicating that this is a real possibility for them.  Richest nation on Earth, and yet...

[Devlyn]

The link doesn't work for my android. 

Asche, I get your point, but I'm pretty sure we're not the richest nation on Earth. 

Hugs, Devlyn