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Montrose Center gala addresses LGBTQ youth homelessness 


By Johnny Trlica

You see them wandering the streets of Montrose or hanging out on street corners. Many are there through no choice of their own. Most of them are LGBTQ. 

“LGBTQ youth are overrepresented among young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the United States. This elevated risk of homelessness and housing instability has detrimental effects on LGBTQ youths’ mental health,†reports The Trevor Project. 

The report further states that overall, “28 percent of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives. Nearly half (44 percent) of Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their life, compared to 16 percent of Asian American/Pacific Islander youth, 27 percent of White LGBTQ youth, 27 percent of Latinx LGBTQ youth, 26 percent of Black LGBTQ youth, and 36 percent of multiracial LGBTQ youth.  

“Homelessness and housing instability were reported at higher rates among transgender and nonbinary youth, including 38 percent of transgender girls/women, 39 percent of transgender boys/men, and 35 percent of nonbinary youth, compared to 23 percent of cisgender LGBQ youth. 

“LGBTQ youth who experienced homelessness or housing instability reported higher rates of mental health challenges, compared to their stably housed LGBTQ peers. 

“Experiencing homelessness or housing instability is associated with a number of safety risks for LGBTQ youth. For example, with the exception of marijuana use, LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are more likely to report drug use compared to their straight, cisgender peers experiencing homelessness. This substance use increases LGBTQ youths’ risk of violence. For example, LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness report higher incidences of being injured or having sex when they did not want to because of substance use. LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness are more likely to report engaging in survival sex, defined as exchanging sex for money, a place to stay, or to fulfill other basic needs.â€Â 

The Montrose Center is hosting LGBTQ Houston’s favorite cabaret-style gala! Benefiting housing services for LGBTQ youth who are experiencing homelessness, the event will feature internationally acclaimed LGBTQ talent on stage, a crowd of LGBTQ community leaders and friends, and a dinner with an inspiring program. 

Blackberri will play host to Miss Conception, Eric Michael Kropp and all your favorite local illusionists! 

The Ballroom at Bayou Place, 500 Texas Street in downtown Houston, is the location for the soiree, Friday, May 12, 2023. There will be a VIP reception at 6 PM, doors will open at 7 PM and the dinner and show start at 7:30 PM. 

This year’s theme is Stars, Statements, and Legends with attire recommendations of “make a statement with your outfit, dress as your favorite star or legend, or come in your best cocktail attire. Costume & drag encouraged!â€Â Â 

Reserved seats are tables for $1,750+ and individual tickets at $175+. 

Reservations may be made online at https://montrosecenter.org/event/housing-our-future-gala-2023-stars-statements-and-legends/ or by contacting Director of Development Meleah Jones at mjones@montrosecenter.org. 

As a nonprofit organization, the Montrose Center relies upon solid partnerships with individual donors and a variety of businesses and institutions to fulfill our mission. The Montrose Center is accredited as a Behavioral Health Home by the The Joint Commission, is an affiliate agency of United Way of Greater Houston, and meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability by the Better Business Bureau.

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