In Need Of Human Compassion: Shelter

Shelter by Lucky S. Michaels book review

by Bambi Weavil

In early 2002, unofficial estimates suggested as many as 8,000 homeless LGBTQ youth were on New York City streets. That number should blow minds and inspire change, as should the brand new book by Lucky Michaels called Shelter. Michaels worked since 2003 as a overnight counselor at Sylvia’s Place and is now the program director for the Marsha P. Johnson Center, a 24-hour drop in center for LGBT youth and young adults. Shelter is a very intimate story from the eyes of Michaels’ photography, his personal artistic passion, and the intimate stories as told by LGBTQ youth who have been or are homeless and have stayed at Sylvia’s Place. Sylvia’s Place is New York City’s emergency shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth. This book is a absolute must for everyone who is a member of the gay community and everyone who wants to address the homeless issues in New York City and beyond.

Sylvia’s Place started based on namesake’s Sylvia Rivera’s request to meet the human need head on and with passion. Saving and celebrating life was the passion of Sylvia’s life as a pioneer activist in the LGBTQ community and Sylvia’s Place has taken the torch and marched bravely forward. The statistics peppered throughout the book, are just as important as the personal narratives of the amazing youth featured.

Some of the statistics include:
- 40% of all homeless youth are Queer-identified
- 40% of all homeless youth have attempted suicide
- In 2001, the National Runaway Switchboard estimated that 1.3 million youth live on the streets of America every day. Within the five boroughs of New York City, there is an estimated 30,000 homeless youth.
- As much as 35% of all homeless youth identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
- Each year approximately 5,000 homeless and runaway youth die from assault, illness and suicide.
And much more included throughout Shelter. Michaels did a outstanding job in the presentation of this book, layering it with statistics, personal narratives and photos, each telling their own story honestly, intimately and emotionally. Most of the stories of the homeless youth featured touch on sexual experiences and violations, hate crimes of deadly violence perpetrated against them for being gay, abuse in different situations, depression, having a zero to very little stable home environment, troubles with romantic relationships, substance addiction, and struggles that most of us wouldn’t dream of having to go through but despite it all, their personalities and inner strength is undeniable.

One story will surprise you of Charlene, Sylvia’s Place first transexual youth. Charlene did not grow up in poverty or hardship but when her father died and her mother could no longer afford to pay for the home, her mother left to stay at her sister’s and Charlene became involved with drugs and became homeless. Charlene didn’t want to go to any shelter at first and resisted it as much as she could but went to Convent House as openly bisexual, and faced harassment and homophobia. Charlene credits Sylvia’s Place as helping her appreciate life and as a period of change and awakening for her. Her story is one of many lives touched by Sylvia’s Place and in turn, she is one of many lives that has touched all those who have worked there.

Michaels describes different holidays at Sylvia’s Place with a desire to give the LGBTQ youth some sense of stability and family, and to make it as warm and homely as possible. Throughout the book, it is clear that Sylvia’s Place does this with their programs and counseling services and much more by being a emergency shelter for those in need and to create change in the lives that they touch them by walking through their doors.

For more information and purchasing Shelter, please go to sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Overstock and Trolley Books. For more information on Sylvia’s Place, please visit MCCNY Homeless Youth Services at http://www.homelessyouthservices.org/sylviasplace.html. Out Impact is a proud supporter of Sylvia’s Place and Michaels’ book, Shelter.

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Related posts:

1. Out Impact Presents An Evening To Benefit Sylvia’s Place – 5th Anniversary Celebration – NYC Event
2. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Out Impact Celebrates Sylvia’s Place 5th Anniversary New York City, Wednesday, April 2, 2008