Carmen is a 24 year old lesbian who came to akt after spending a week in an abandoned building.

She’d also spent four nights on the streets in the winter, after being kicked out of her family home. Carmen came from a conservative family who had discovered her in bed with another woman. Her father made verbal and physical threats, throwing her out with a single bag of her things.

Carmen met a stranger on the bus who knew about akt and referred her to the service. akt provided backpacker accommodation immediately for Carmen, who as a young woman was at high risk on the streets. While Carmen applied for universal credit, akt supported her with a weekly welfare payment. akt also contacted Carmen’s parents and mediated a chaperoned visit to collect the rest of her belongings and important documents. After three weeks of hostel accommodation, a room became available at akt’s Purple Door safe house. Carmen now feels safe and is looking forward to applying for university and finding work.

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We believe no young person should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are. If you'd like to support our work with young LGBTQ+ people facing or experiencing homelessness, click here.

Photo: Zackary Drucker, The Gender Spectrum Collection