Youth Homelessness and Transgender Remembrance

November carries two important observances that speak directly to the work we’re building at QNEST. It is Youth Homelessness Awareness Month—a time to recognize the challenges young LGBTQIA+ people face when they do not have a stable, affirming place to call home. This month also includes Transgender Day of Remembrance, when we honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence and acknowledge the ongoing risks many transgender and nonbinary youth face simply by being themselves.

When we place these two moments side by side, a clear picture emerges: too many LGBTQIA+ teens, especially transgender youth, navigate their adolescence without safety or support. Some are pushed out of their homes. Others leave because remaining would mean hiding who they are.

Youth Homelessness Awareness Month reminds us that housing is not optional, it is the foundation for stability, education, mental health, and belonging. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds us that safety cannot be taken for granted, especially for trans youth who are disproportionately targeted, marginalized, or left without support. These realities reinforce the urgency of creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ teens can live, learn, and heal without fear.

At QNEST, we are turning that urgency into action. We are preparing the groundwork for our first home and designing programs that will connect teens to community, guidance, and stability. Every step we take is shaped by one belief: LGBTQIA+ youth deserve more than survival, they deserve a place to thrive.

Please support our work by donating to the cause.