November 2019
Greetings!

In the United States, 4.2 million youth experience homelessness each year, with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their non-LGBTQ peers. According to True Colors United , i t’s estimated that about 7% of youth in the United States are LGBTQ, while 40% of youth experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ.

Why do LGBTQ Youth Experience Homelessness?

Family conflict is the most common cause of all youth homelessness. For LGBTQ youth in particular, the conflict tends to be over their sexual orientation or gender identity.

While rejection is the most frequently cited reason LGBTQ youth experience homelessness, it’s not the only one. According to service providers, additional reasons include aging out of the foster care system, poverty, and conflict in the home. Often, it’s not one thing that causes homelessness, but a combination of many.

AFCI's vision is a world where LGBTQ persons are accepted, loved, and nurtured by their families in a safe and supportive home and our mission is to end rejection of LGBTQ youth by advocating for them and educating their families.

We need your help to continue to communicate with and support the families and the communities of LGBTQ youth.

Our children are so much more than their sexual orientation or gender identity and we want to give thanks this month for the whole person these children are.
EXCITING ENCOUNTERS
  • AFCI is preparing to attend PIP (Partners in Prevention) Conference in Austin, TX November 5-7 #PIPCON2019
  • AFCI will be attending the Texas Counseling Association conference in Fort Worth to share the free resources of AFCI that work to reduce rejection of LGBTQ by educating families, counselors, and educators November 13-16.
  • Each February, the Professional School Counselor's Conference is held and this past February we were not able to attend. We are extremely happy that we will be able to go this coming February and share the free resources of AFCI with the school counselors of Texas to continue our mission to reduce rejection, including homelessness, of LGBTQ youth. This is possible because of the generous donation of James Walker at Walker Texas Lawyer. Last year when he heard that we were not able to attend due to funding, he stated, "Well that won't happen next year!" Join AFCI in thanking the Walker Texas Lawyer firm for their continued support of the mission and vision of AFCI.  www.walkertexaslawyer.us
International Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20

The Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the "Remembering Our Dead" web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. 

The Transgender Day of Remembrance serves several purposes.

  • It raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform.
  • Day of Remembrance publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten by we expressing love and respect for our people in the face of national indifference and hatred.
  • Day of Remembrance reminds non-transgender people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers.
  • Day of Remembrance gives our allies a chance to step forward with us and stand in vigil, memorializing those of us who’ve died by anti-transgender violence.
AFCI 20/20 Vision
Fact 1
If we had 20 supporters that pledged a $20 recurring monthly donation, all of our operating expenses would be covered forever.
Fact 2
If we had 20 supporters that pledged a $40 recurring monthly donation OR 40 supporters that pledged a $20 recurring monthly donation, all our operating expenses would be covered AND we would be able to attend FOUR conferences each year to provide FREE access to the resources of AFCI for families and educators and professionals that work with the families of LGBTQ youth.

Please consider supporting AFCI's mission and vision by donating today !
Be part of the solution.
Help us end homelessness!
For all questions or inquiries related to AFCI, including interest in our educational programs or speakers, please contact us directly.
Mailing Address:
Association for Family and Community Integrity, Inc.
P.O. Box 667341
Houston, TX 77266