 Human Trafficking: When someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to compel an exchange of sex, labor, or services for anything of value. When anyone under 18 engages in commercial sex for any reason, that is human trafficking. LGBTQIA+ youth are trafficked at twice the rate of other youth. As usual, LGBTQIA youth aren’t the problem, they’re surrounded by it. One reason traffickers target them is because homophobic family members might kick them out, or fearing rejection, youth run away from home. LGBTQ+ youth deserve to have the right people notice their struggle and be there for support, but far too often, that’s not who shows up. Tragically, one-third of teens are approached by a trafficker within 48 hours of running away. Because of a lack of resources, homelessness is a major risk factor for being trafficked. Traffickers often pose as someone who can help, making false promises for a better life, offering shelter and food in exchange for favors they only define later. They take advantage of people in a desperate situation. Around one-third of homeless or runaway youth have engaged in sex to survive. In one 2022 survey, 24 percent of youth living on the streets engaged in sex in exchange for money, and 27.5 percent for a place to stay. This is called survival sex, and it is considered sex trafficking under the law when the survivor is a minor. People tend to imagine traffickers as scary strangers, but in 90 percent of cases a trafficker is the survivor’s parent, their romantic partner, their pastor, or their friend long before trafficking begins. Some LGBTQIA+ survivors report that traffickers first act as an outlet, offering acceptance of their identity. The grooming process can be slow and plays on our basic human needs. Once trust is built, survivors say the trafficker may threaten to tell their family or community about their identity unless they engage in commercial sex. One of the best trafficking prevention strategies we can use is creating spaces for connection, care, and community for all of our LGBTQIA+ youth. What can we do? Supporting LGBTQIA+ folks can look like advocacy, friendship, community building, support, encouragement, or just plain respect. Trans and non-binary youth whose pronouns are respected have 31 percent lower odds of a suicide attempt in the past year (Polaris), so regardless of what your understanding is, respecting someone’s pronouns is not only a form of trafficking prevention but of suicide prevention. This doesn’t mean you never slip up and say the wrong pronouns, it means when that happens you correct yourself, or respond kindly to someone else’s correction, and move on. Imagine if someone is telling you how their name is pronounced—it’s okay to not pronounce it right a few times, but it’s unkind to not try to learn or purposefully butcher the pronunciation. Understanding these basic definitions can help you engage with LGBTQIA+ youth: Definitions Lesbian = women loving women Gay = Men loving men, also used as an umbrella term for anyone in the LGBTQIA+ Bisexual = someone attracted to more than one gender Transgender = someone whose sex assigned at birth doesn’t match their gender. Cisgender= someone whose sex assigned at birth does match their gender Non-binary= someone whose gender doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes of woman or man Queer= An intentionally expansive word for not fitting neatly into socially defined roles of gender, sexuality, etc. Questioning= Those who are discovering what their gender identity or sexuality is Intersex= someone who is born with both male and female body parts. They are just as common as red heads, and many people live their whole lives intersex without knowing it. We sometimes find out someone is intersex during autopsies Asexual = someone who experiences less or no sexual or romantic attraction More Definitions: Sexuality is about who you’re attracted to (gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual). Gender is about your social identity, how you see yourself, and how you form relationships with others (man, woman, genderfluid, non-binary, etc). Gender expression is how you express yourself through things like clothes, haircuts, and mannerisms and can change daily. Sex is the biological identification of body parts as a doctor defines it (male, female, intersex). Any and every combination of these categories can and does exist. There can be an intersex woman with a masculine gender expression who is straight. People often confuse these categories or make pairings in their minds so if they know one element about someone they assume the rest. This might lead to things like parents of lesbians with a feminine gender expression asking them when they will start “dressing like a boy.” Or the converse for gay men. Clearing Up Myths Someone cannot be “turned” gay or straight, cis, or trans. When LGBTQIA+ people see representation in the media, they might feel more accepted and free to come out, but that media or support doesn’t make that person LGBTQIA+. If you’re straight and cis, did you know you were attracted to the gender you are because someone told you to be? Did you know you were a man or woman because you saw a man or woman on TV? Or did it feel easy, like knowing what food you do and don’t like? People have preferences in all areas of our lives, yet few face as much scrutiny as our preferences in gender and romantic relationships. Facing any form of discrimination leads to higher rates of trafficking for that population. Trafficking Signs to Look Out For:
If you suspect someone you know is being trafficked don’t confront the trafficker. Best practice is to gather information for an immediate report and contact local law enforcement, the Georgia Human Trafficking Hotline: (866) 363-4842. or the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888.  About the Author Kate Gallop serves as the Outreach Manager at Tharros Place, leading community education and outreach efforts focused on human trafficking awareness and prevention.
0 Comments
Many people remember watching Simone Biles at the Tokyo Olympics as she made the difficult decision to step away from competition and prioritize her mental health. At the time, the moment sparked conversations across the world. Some applauded her courage and honesty, while others criticized a decision they did not fully understand. But Simone’s story did not end there. It became a powerful reminder that prioritizing your mental health is not weakness, it is strength. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she returned with resilience, determination, and grace, earning three gold medals and one silver, and bringing her total Olympic medal count to 11. Her journey showed young people everywhere that setbacks do not define you and that healing, growth, and comebacks are possible. Over the years, I have seen firsthand how much pressure young people, especially young girls, carry every single day. In a March 2026 interview with Stylist magazine, Simone Biles shared a powerful reminder: “No medal, no accolade, or exam results are more important than your mental health…The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be bold, to care and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned.” That message resonates deeply with me. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, mental health advocate, and someone who has spent more than a decade serving vulnerable populations across Georgia, my passion has always centered around helping young people build resilience, confidence, and emotional wellness. But beyond my professional role, I am also a mother and a community member who genuinely cares about the future of our youth. Their well-being impacts all of us. The reality is that many young people are struggling silently. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 30 percent of boys, 60 percent of girls, and 65 percent of LGBTQ+ high schoolers report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Approximately 30 percent of girls have seriously considered suicide, and one in five girls experienced sexual violence, up 20 percent from 2017. These numbers are a heartbreaking call to action. Mental health challenges do not always look dramatic. Sometimes they show up quietly through changes in behavior, mood, or connection. Warning signs may include:
As parents, caregivers, mentors, educators, and community members, we all have a role to play. One of the most important things we can do is create safe, judgment-free spaces where young people feel heard. Often, they do not need immediate solutions or lectures. They need someone willing to listen with compassion and consistency. Encouraging healthy routines, balanced social media use, meaningful connection, and open conversations about emotions can make a significant difference. And when concerns become bigger than what we can manage alone, seeking professional support is a sign of strength, not failure. Resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are available for anyone experiencing emotional distress or crisis. As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, this year’s theme from National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Turning Silence Into Connection,” reminds us that healing and hope happen in community. We can all help reduce stigma, advocate for stronger support systems, and empower young people to know they do not have to suffer in silence. Our young people do not need perfection from us. They need presence, support, and connection. Together, we can help create a community where they feel safe enough to ask for the help they need to keep going.  About the Author
Phylicia Anderson, LCSW, serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Tharros Place and is the Chief Operating Officer for Gateway Community Service Board. |
912-226-7531
©
THARROS PLACE 2022-2024 | Website By FreshWorks Media