Aaron*, a 19-year-old gay man, was forced out by his family the day he was outed

Aaron was in full-time education and living with his parents when they discovered messages between him and his boyfriend. Their strict religious beliefs led them to call his sexuality “sinful” and a “shame on the family.” He was told to leave that same day and was not allowed to take many of his belongings.

Suddenly homeless, he struggled with panic attacks, overwhelming anxiety, and the fear of encountering further discrimination if he disclosed his identity to services. He also had no savings, no independent living experience, and nowhere safe to stay.

Stonewall Housing intervention:

• Provided emergency accommodation through their Supported Housing service.
• Assigned a caseworker who created a personalised safety and wellbeing plan, helping him navigate the trauma of sudden family rejection.
• Referred him to LGBTQ+-affirming counselling to address internalised shame.
• Connected him with youth employment support to build confidence and secure part-time work.
• Advocated with housing services to ensure he could access long-term accommodation without needing parental documents or permission.

Outcome:
After six months in supported housing, Aaron moved into a shared flat with another LGBTQ+ young person, secured steady employment, and joined an LGBTQ+ faith and culture peer group where he found acceptance and community.

Watch Aaron’s story here:

To protect the privacy of those we support, the name has been changed, and Aaron’s story is portrayed by an actor. The experience it represents is real, drawn from the thousands of LGBTQ+ people who come to us each year seeking safety, support, and a place to call home.