A problem no one should ignore:JULIAN CASTRO unloads to Salon on GAY RIGHTS, HOMELESSNESS & AMERICA

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Thu Apr 9, 2015, 04:22 PM - Edit history (3)

SALON

Wed. Feb 28, 2015

by Edward Wyckoff Williams

"A problem no one should ignore: HUD Secretary Julian Castro unloads to Salon on gay rights, homelessness & America."

A house does not necessarily make a home. But for far too many American children and teens that identify as gay, lesbian or transgender, there is no house to call home at all.

It's a strange and inconvenient truth that as gay Americans experience a sea change of socio-political acceptance, the rate of LGBT youth homelessness in the United States is increasing.

A silent epidemic is afoot. Gay and lesbian youth comprise an astounding 40 percent of America's estimated 2.8 million homeless youth population, yet they make up less than 7 percent of the general youth population in the United States.

FAMILY REJECTION and PHYSICAL ABUSE are the most frequently reported reasons that LGBT youth experience homelessness, and for transgender youth- and those struggling with gender identity- the situation is even worse.

One in five transgender Americans experience homelessness because of DISCRIMINATION and FAMILY REJECTION. And even the institutions designed to help them also discriminate, as 29 percent of homeless transgender people report being TURNED AWAY FROM SHELTERS.
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In Feb. 2015 HUD, the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development headed by Secretary JULIAN CASTRO, announced a new partnership initiative with the TRUE COLORS FUND. The two groups have worked together since 2013 to set up the LGBT Youth Homelessness Prevention Initiative with pilot programs in HOUSTON and CINCINNATI.
Since its founding in 2008, the TRUE COLORS FUND has worked with co-founder and artist CYNDI LAUPER to raise awareness for the right of every person to have a home in spite of their gender or sexual orientation. Please go to the groups website to learn more and if you would like to help or donate,
http://truecolorsfund.org
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*MORE, interview and comments with JULIAN CASTRO at the link below.....

http://www.salon.com/2015/02/18/%e2%80%9ca_problem_no_one_should_ignore_hud_secretary_julian_castro_unloads_to_salon_on_gay_rights_homelessness_america/

[DonCoquixote]

1. If Hillary does not pick this guy as veep

She is a fool, as Castro may be the ONLY shout out to people outside Malibu and Park Ave she gives.

[appalachiablue]

4. Julian & his brother are very promising for this country & the Dems. Qualified, bright &

young they are fresh faces desperately needed to take up the lead for a better US for all. And the sooner the better.

[joshcryer]

15. This is probably the most planned rollout I've ever seen.

Even more so than FDR's run for the Presidency. They gave Julian the keynote and the HUD position specifically for this reason.

I will be absolutely gobsmacked if Julian doesn't get the nod. Absolutely stunned. It makes no sense, he's super clean, unless he's having an affair or something he is the #1 pick.

[elfin]

26. Agree - putting him in the Cabinet was the first big hint

Unless something comes up to tarnish his reputation in a big way, he will be the choice for Veep. A good fit for Hillary, or even anyone else if things do not go as expected.

[appalachiablue]

28. With Hillary, or O'Malley-Castro 2016 if it works out that way. He's a valuable, qualified newcomer-

I sense both bros. are fast learners, bright, excel, and possess drive obviously.

[ananda]

2. I hope he is the next veep!

Please.

[GoCubsGo]

5. Yes, and I think he could very well be our first Hispanic president. n/t

[libdem4life]

6. Absolutely. And 8 years of Castro would bring this nation back towards the Left, a bit.

And he comes with a very handsome "second" and an amazing Mother. Wife and little girl are both just darling.

[appalachiablue]

7. VP & President I hope. Their ideas, family, education & achievements are terrific! We need it-

[appalachiablue]

3. Rank discrimination in housing against LGBT people was brought home by the experience of a young

man applying for rental housing recently. Management learned of his sexual orientation from looking online to find something in his background as he told Thom Hartmann, progressive radio host. That made me sick. Discrimination and oppression of LGBT people, blacks and other minorities, the poor and women in this country is extreme. We need to call attention to it and take action to stop it. In NYC in the 90s my little brother and friends were in the process of buying a property when management told them the building was restricted, to artists. They fought it and went ahead, and it was bull since he was also the director of a music recording company. Discriminatory housing practice fail. But that was then...things are becoming much worse now unfortunately.

[RedCappedBandit]

8. Thanks for sharing. This is an important article.

[appalachiablue]

9. In addition to HUD programs to address lack of housing for homeless LGBT youth, at the

Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2015, 06:18 PM - Edit history (1)

end of the article Castro talks about *HOUSING DISCRIMINATION complaints in buying houses, like a gay couple in FL who were turned down for an FHA LOAN by BANK OF AMERICA. The bank's action was taken solely based on their sexual orientation and as a non-married couple. It's great that HUD fought it. This kind of discrimination and injustice needs to end and we are moving forward as a nation. Secy. Castro and many others are helping in this effort fortunately-

[qwlauren35]

10. Maybe worse than veteran homelessness?

In my first glance at the article, my thought was - why the emphasis on this group when veteran homelessness is such a problem.

Then I read the article.

We clearly don't live in a country where it's safe to come out. But these kids do, for whatever reason, and when they are TOO YOUNG TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES, they are being abused and abandoned. It's the fact that they are CHILDREN that makes this so bad. The AVERAGE age is 14. Imagine some poor kid, 12 years old, running away from home to escape physical abuse. AND turned away from shelters. And on top of that, confused about his or her orientation and probably mentally depressed. Be real, what is going to happen to that kid? Drugs and prostitution. Or maybe suicide. The likelihood of a happy ending is so low for these kids.

So, I'm really impressed that this is going to get attention, and funding and action from the Obama administration.

I still want something done about the veterans.

BTW: "Confused" was the best word I can think of when you realize that you're "LGBTQ" and are coming to terms with what that could mean for your life in America.

[appalachiablue]

11. All of it is appalling, the poor kids, foreclosed families with so many empty, vacant properties

now, and the huge number of Veterans all over, even from Vietnam still waiting in Arlington, and Northern VA in the shadow of the capital. I was pleased to read of Pres. Obama's initiative for ending homelessness by 2020 in this article and the other post here today calling attention to women Veterans who lack housing. What an indication of a society's values, in these times.
Reading about the circumstances of young LGBT is so disturbing, kids at that age on the streets prey to drugs, crime and prostitution as you say, it's criminal. Children that age are defenseless, with no resources, the brain's pre-frontal cortex for decision making doesn't fully develop until age 26 or later. How very sad, and many of the young commit suicide from isolation, loneliness, depression and from being outcasts who are bullied. The suicide rate is quite high. The rate for Veterans is 22 per day I understand. Much needs to be done, especially in a country so rich, obviously. We can hope.

[Gothmog]

12. I hope that Julian Castro is the VP nominee

[appalachiablue]

14. It has a nice ring to it too. We'll see-

[MoonRiver]

17. YES!!!

[Gothmog]

23. I actually have one of these bumperstickers that I hope to get to use

[appalachiablue]

27. Or O'MALLEY-CASTRO 2016, if things go that way, whatever-

[libodem]

13. .

[appalachiablue]

16. Absolutely!

[riderinthestorm]

18. K&R!!! This is excellent! Nt

[appalachiablue]

19. Great, glad you saw the post!

[riderinthestorm]

20. Thanks for posting it. It really needs wider attention so happy to kick it!

[libdem4life]

21. A breath of fresh air to the political scene...in English and Spanish...so much for English

only bigots. Haven't heard much about this lately, however.

In any case, the Castros, 2nd Generation Hispanics, have been raised since childhood to be active on the national stage and to represent Real Democratic Goals.

[appalachiablue]

22. So far I think they're great, very bright, raised well. Much needed by this country- if Dems. let

the GOP grab the Hispanic vote with a nominee first, it'll be irreversible.

~He who hesitates is lost.~ (My Dad)

[libdem4life]

24. Rubio (Cubano) and Cruz (Canadian) are all they have to offer the Hispanic voter.

I lived and worked with Hispanics mostly from Mexico...Tejanos. I truly hope they connect with the Castros and help us get them represented in the nation's capitol. Just the difference in demeanor with Rubio, Cruz and the brothers is immediately obvious. .

[appalachiablue]

25. Demeanor difference, you got that. Cruz & Rubio very unattractive candidates.

The Castros are sharp, bright, eager- they're it! Yes, need Texas bigtime. What's with Cruz Sr., the itinerant, so-called preacher w/ no church? Can't find much info., esp. about where is Cruz' mother & the 4 older stepsisters by his parents first marriages? Also m. certificates for parents Eleanor and Raphael Sr. are missing. Sr. came from Cuba to Texas on a college visa in 1957, but didn't obtain his naturalized citizenship until 2005, strange.

Some FL Cubans really stuck with the GOP in the past due to Fidel, hope that's changed. My brother in law was fixed that way cuz he didn't know any different; otherwise not a Repub. type person at all.

[fizzgig]

29. posting to check out later

i don't know much about him, but just the snip puts me in his corner.

[appalachiablue]

30. Sounds good! Check back in later if you like-

[riderinthestorm]

31. Sunday kick for those who haven't had much exposure to Julian Castro nt

[appalachiablue]

32. Excellent, must keep this kicked-