Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Homeless People: The Role of Discrimination and Family Rejection

Abstract

The objective of this article is to compare the causal factors in the loss of housing between the LGBTQ and non‐LGBTQ populations. One hundred and twelve questionnaires were collected from LGBTQ people and 93 cases from the non‐LGBTQ population in the region of Madrid, Spain. Using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), the variable of sexual orientation and gender identity predicted significant differences in the causal factors related to the loss of housing. The findings refer to maintaining housing (𝑝 < .005), family problems and/or break up of the couple (𝑝 < .010), change of place of residence (𝑝 < 0.010), and expulsion from the home directly related to gender orientation and identity (𝑝 < .005 and 𝑝 < 0.01). Except for expulsion from the home due to discrimination in the LGBTQ group, gender orientation and identity do not generate, but do intensify, the situation of losing housing