Lost in the Crowd follows a group of queer and transgender youth living on the streets of New York City, where art, dance and “walk off” balls offer hope.

Homelessness is an undeniable crisis in Vancouver, as in other major urban centres internationally. But how do issues of homelessness impact queer communities? Lost in the Crowd follows a group of queer and transgender youth living on the streets of New York City. Shot over six years, this documentary reveals a world that few care to see. Director Susi Graf does not shy away from the danger and struggles that come with the double stigma of being queer and homeless. Amidst these dangers are stories of hope and dreams. Art, dance and “walk off” balls offer opportunities for many homeless queer youth to gather and show off their talents. Graf even captures an interview with the late, great Willi Ninja, mother of the voguing House of Ninja, who, after mentoring many queer youth, passed away in 2006.

Director Susi Graf joined us for a post-film panel about her film, and was joined by local panelists (listed below) to discuss strategies for how we can be active locally in supporting queer homeless youth.

Aaron Munro, Shelter Program Manager at Raincity Housing
Lulu Gurney, Street Outreach Worker
Lauren Gill, social worker and housing advocate
Moderator, Amber Dawn

For updates regarding Lost in the Crowd or to purchase a DVD copy of the film click here.

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For information regarding local initiatives to support homeless or street-involved queer and transgender youth, please check out the following organizations:

The Downtown East Side Women’s Centre provides support to over 300 women, children and seniors, every day. As well as providing a refuge and shelter from conditions of poverty and violence, the Centre provides basic necessities.

Contact: centre@dewc.ca | 604.681.8480

Prism Alcohol & Drug Services offers counselling for lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirit and queer people, and transsexual/transgendered people who are directly and/or indirectly affected by drug and alcohol issues. Individual and group counselling formats are available. Services are provided regardless of sexual orientation.

Contact: prism@vch.ca | 604.658.1214

C.A.L.L. Out! (Creating Action, Learning and Leadership) is a alcohol and drug prevention initiative  of Prism Alcohol & Drug Services for LGBT2SQ youth ages 15-24.

Contact: kyle.shaughnessy@vch.ca | 604.315.3668 or 1.877.515.3668

RainCity Housing and Support Society, formerly Triage Emergency Services & Care Society, is a grassroots organization built around compassion, purpose and a commitment to delivering progressive housing and support solutions for people living with mental illness, addictions and other challenges.

Contact: info@raincityhousing.org | 604.662.7023

Trans Youth Drop In is run by trans youth & loved ones and is a place to meet other youth who are interested in trans stuff, watch trans movies, make art & ‘zines, eat snacks, get info about local resources, and hang out in a space where you can relax and be yourself.

Contact: transyouthdropin@yahoo.ca | 604.734.1514 ext. 1

Vancouver Action (VAN.ACT! ) is an open group working to confront injustices that appear at all levels of political, institutional and cultural life. We engage in collective action as a means to overturn existing relations of domination and inequality while promoting a culture of political mobilization that can grow, victory by victory.

Contact: vanact.hub@gmail.com

YouthCO is Canada’s first youth-driven organization leading the HIV and HepC movement through peer education, support, and shared leadership.

Contact: info@youthco.org | 604.688.1441 or  (Toll Free): 1.855.YOUTHCO (968 8426)

QMUNITY Gab Youth is a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, queer, questioning (queer) youth 25 years of age and under and their allies. Gab provides information, support and referrals to queer youth as well as resources for family, friends, and professionals.

Contact: gabyouth@qmunity.ca | 604.684.5307

Surrey Youth Alliance is a drop-in and support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer, questioning, and straight youth between the ages of 14 and 21 in the Fraser Valley and surrounding area.

Contact: info@mail.syabc.ca

Fraser Valley Youth offers a Drop in for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-spirit, Transexual, Queer and Questioning Youth. We welcome our allied friends and seek to build positive connections on Thursday's from 6-9pm at Abbotsford Community Services, 2420 Montrose Avenue, Abbotsford.

Contact: loretta@fraseryouth.com

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To encourage our MP’s to support initiatives for the safety and health of homeless and street-involved populations, contact:

Vancouver Centre, Hedy Fry
Vancouver East, Libby Davies
Vancouver Kingsway, Don Davies
Vancouver Quadra, Joyce Murray 
Vancouver South, Wai Young

For a complete list of MP’s see here.