All at Llamau and End Youth Homelessness Cymru were deeply saddened to read of the recent homophobic attack on young people attending an LGBT Youth Club run by our coalition partners, Gisda. Clubs like this one offer an invaluable safe space for LGBTQ+ young people to come together, make friends and develop a sense of community.

Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau and Chair of End Youth Homelessness Cymru, stated:

“On behalf of all involved with Llamau and End Youth Homelessness Cymru, we stand with our partners at Gisda and the young people they work tirelessly to support. Not only am I appalled by this homophobic attack itself and the age of the assailant, but I find it deeply disturbing to read that as reporting of such incidents rises, the numbers of prosecutions has dropped. We call upon our leaders to stand with us in condemning homophobia and demanding that we do better for our young people by taking action against all perpetrators.”

End Youth Homelessness Cymru’s recent report ‘Out On The Streets: LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in Wales’ presents a series of interviews with young people who have attended the Gisda Youth Club and spaces like it, who talked passionately about the important role these places play in helping them bond with other young people who have had similar experiences. LGBTQ+ young people are up to four times more likely to experience homelessness, often accompanied by immense trauma and discrimination, so protection and promotion of such environments is absolutely crucial for young people's wellbeing."