Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Proud Haven Proclaim April 27, 2016 '40 to None Day' to end LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness

Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and Proud Haven, a local nonprofit organization, have proclaimed Wednesday, April 27, 2016 "40 to None Day" in the City of Pittsburgh, with the goal of bringing the percentage of homeless youth who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) from 40% to none. Studies have repeatedly shown that up to 40 percent of the approximate 1.6 million youth experiencing homelessness each year in the United States identify as LGBTQ+, yet they make up only 5-7 percent of the general youth population.

As part of "40 to None Day," Proud Haven will be hosting a rally to end LGBT youth homelessness on the City-County Building steps on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh from 6:30pm til 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. The event will be followed by a pot luck at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center located at 210 Grant Street. The event will include speakers and help to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ homeless youth These youth often become homeless due to family rejection, or flee a hostile/unsafe environment. Traditional shelters and other service providers are often unable to provide safety for them or address their specific needs related to sexuality or gender identity/expression, which causes the youth further harm and distress. In addition to the well-documented physical and emotional perils that homeless youth face, these youth also face increased rates of violence and harassment living on the street because of their LGBTQ+ status. Proud Haven, a new Pittsburgh-based community organization, is working to support those youth. Proud Haven's mission is to provide safe shelter, emotional support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth in Pittsburgh who are homeless and/or need the skills to live independently. Proud Haven's vision is to be a leading resource for shelter and support services that improve the quality of life for homeless LGBTQ+ youth as well as to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ population as a whole. Their board of directors includes professionals, community organizers, health and human services workers, and people who have themselves experienced homelessness.

40 to None Day is a national project of the True Colors Fund, an organization working to raise awareness about LGBT youth homelessness. The goals of the day include spreading the word that everyone can make a difference, since LGBT youth interact with more than just those working in homeless shelters.

Proud Haven is preparing to launch outreach programs to provide support and resources to Pittsburgh's LGBTQ+ youth, which will be offered at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center (GLCC). They have recently established a referral process with Community Human Services for three beds that are available exclusively for homeless LGBTQ+ youth at one of CHS' properties, which will also give the youth who are housed there access to support services. Proud Haven's long-term plans include establishing a shelter of their own specifically for this population. The organization's general meetings are quarterly and open to all members of the community, and they are actively seeking volunteers and donations to support their work. To learn more, please visit http://www.proudhaven.org.

Conceived in 2012, Proud Haven's vision is to be a leading resource for shelter and support services that improve the quality of life for homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) youth, as well as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ population as a whole. Proud Haven is committed to advancing equality through its mission of providing a safe shelter for homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Pittsburgh. To learn more, please visit http://www.proudhaven.org.