According to a 2017 report dissecting the historical context of trafficking in the US, LGBTQIA+ youth experience a higher vulnerability to trafficking and homelessness, issues that stem from various societal factors. At the core, LGBTQ+ youth, especially those belonging to marginalized backgrounds, experience increased systemic discrimination in education, justice systems, health care, and more. This is an especially vital problem to address since these institutions claim to support LGBTQIA+ youth but often contribute to their victimization. Jose, a gay survivor human trafficking explained in an interview with Stop Modern Day Slavery that, “The school counselor knew I was in and out of school and never asked what was going on… The signs were always there, people never asked because they knew I was gay and turned a blind eye… I felt like they [the police] weren’t on my side. Instead, I felt I was being judged because of my sexuality. I was the problem, not the abuser.”
In addition, many queer children face unaccepting parents or guardians at home who ultimately contribute to their heightened likelihood of being trafficked. According to a 2019 study on LGBTQ+ youth and human trafficking, a dismissive or hostile home environment is often accompanied by mental and physical abuse, as well as social and familial rejection. This, in turn, can result in the child feeling the need to run away or even being forced to leave home. Without adequate support structures, these children face the risk of being homeless. Jose reveals the direct correlation between his status as a gay man and his homelessness, stating, “my parents kicked me out because of my sexuality and Jason [my trafficker] found my vulnerabilities because of my sexuality.”
Chris, another queer survivor of human trafficking, revealed a similar connection between his sexuality and his decision to leave home. In an interview with Stop Modern Day Slavery, he reveals that “being a youth made conversations around my sexuality difficult to navigate. I internalized many feelings and that is what contributed to me running away.” Sadly, these are not isolated incidents of queer youth being kicked out of their homes or running away. According to a 2016 report by the Polaris Project, nearly 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+, a stark contrast to the 7% of the general population. Among LGBTQ+ identifying individuals, transgender people are especially prone to homelessness and, as a result, human trafficking. The Trevor Project reports that “40% of transgender and non-binary youth in foster care reported running away, being kicked out or abandoned compared to 17% of cisgender LGBTQ youth in foster care.” With a reported 30% of transgender adults having been homeless in their lifetimes, these people face an especially high risk of being trafficked.
Being homeless increases vulnerability to being exploited because traffickers prey on those without support systems who are desperate for basic necessities like a place to stay, food, and financial support. When a trafficker offers homeless individuals a home, a “job,” and someone who will take care of them, the offer often appears too good to pass up. “My traffickers offered friendship, transportation, and a sense of security. I felt that they were my friends at the time.” Chris explains, speaking to how predators took advantage of his vulnerability and homelessness.
According to a 2013 report published in The International Law News, another aspect of LGBTQIA+ sex trafficking that benefits traffickers is that the crime is commonly overlooked by governments, law enforcement, and judicial systems. Recognizing the diverse identities of trafficking victims is crucial in understanding the problem as well as helping the victims’ healing process. “I discovered that there’s a lot of support for cisgender females that have been trafficked, but a big gap for male survivors, transgender, and non-binary survivors of exploitation and trafficking.” Chris describes. He is now the founder of Overcome Exploitation, an organization that centers on the experiences of male, trans, and non-binary survivors of any form of exploitation.
Ultimately, a lack of understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth means that the crimes they face are underreported and rarely researched. Breaking the silence by amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ survivors and educating others on the connection between trafficking and sexuality are crucial tools in the fight against human trafficking.
Veera is a Psychology student from Helsinki, Finland currently studying at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Alongside her studies she is also working as a social media assistant for her department. Veera has a keen interest in educating herself and others about modern slavery and breaking popular myths that are still prevalent around trafficking. Veera hopes to have a career in research and helping human trafficking survivors in the future.
Meet the Artist: Cindy Cuellar is a Mexican-American woman who is a strong advocate for intersectionality. She recently received a B.S. in journalism and a focus in photography. She has worked with the number one college newspaper in California, the Spartan Daily, for almost two years at San Jose State. Cindy started off as a staff writer and progressed her way to be a graphics editor. She loved each semester spent in the newsroom and has grown not only as a journalist but also as an illustrator.
