Gray’s Gives 🏳️🌈
Giving Back to Help LGBTQ+ Youth in Cleveland
Did you know that LGBTQ+ youth have a 120 percent higher risk of being homeless than heterosexual youth and are estimated to make up 40% of unaccompanied homeless youth?
The increased risk of homelessness in the LGBTQ+ community is often tied to their gender identity or sexual orientation, with many experiencing rejection or abuse by their communities and families, driving them out of their homes and into foster care, alternative housing, or the juvenile justice system. This creates a snowball effect, damaging their mental health and impacting their ability to find stable housing. In addition, homeless LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely to commit suicide compared to heterosexual youth, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of these statistics, and traditional shelters often don’t provide the services that are LGBTQ+-affirming and/or safe. That makes it even harder for LGBTQ+ individuals to access a safe place to stay, resulting in an increased risk of depression, anxiety, suicide, and addiction.
What are we doing to help?
Dorian Gray Galleries
We’ve been working with Dorian Gray Galleries since 2021.
They raise awareness and funds to improve access to services for LGBTQ+ youths in Cleveland, through donated art and design.
Before our partnership, their reach was limited to a small circle of supporters. We offered them professional guidance and helped them put on their first online auction. Over the course of a few months, we helped them get set up with office and exhibition space here at Gray’s Auctioneers so that they could hold preview parties and live auctions.
The results of the first auction were overwhelming, raising $5,000 which directly benefited homeless LGBTQ+ youth, allowing them to access the services they needed to get back on their feet.
So far, we have helped them raise six times as much as they had raised in their first two years. This has directly helped over a dozen individuals; providing transportation to medical appointments, assisting with a safe place to stay, funding for gender-affirming clothing, and preventing utility shutoffs and evictions.
Stories of People We’ve Helped
A Young Trans Woman
A young trans woman was kicked out of her home for coming out. Her request was for immediate assistance with housing and assistance with transportation as they did not have a vehicle. The individual mentioned having called the Suicide Hotline regularly. We do not provide direct housing but were able to connect them with a shelter that would take them in based on their gender identity. We provided bus passes for several months so they were able to make mental health appointments and were able to be in touch with their social worker. An update with the individual showed that they are now in stable housing and still able to go to any appointments they have and have not had to use the Suicide Hotline in months.
A Group of 8 LGBTQ+ Youth
A housing group of 8 LGBTQ+ youth was in desperate need of assistance with utilities as, due to a water line break, were responsible for a large bill. If left unpaid, they would be evicted and all 8 individuals would be on the streets. We assisted in paying the utility to prevent water shutoff and inevitable eviction.
An LGBTQ Woman
An LGBTQ woman was at risk of being evicted from her place of residence due to loss of employment. They were only able to cover living expenses outside of rent. We were able to cover a month’s rent so they were able to find a new job and get back on their feet.
A Note from Dan & Matt at Dorian Gray
We developed Dorian Gray Galleries to help provide funding and resources to housing insecure LGBTQ+ youth (ages 12 - 24) in Northeast Ohio. Gaps still exist to provide LGBTQ+-affirming assistance to those in need, leaving an already vulnerable population in even more danger. We created this organization to be a helping hand in an already stressful and scary time in an individual's life and to be a reminder that no one is ever alone. We are trying to make the little impacts we can one individual and one auction at a time.
How You Can Help
Great strides have been made towards ensuring LGTBQ+ people have access to services that accommodate them, but people are still slipping through the cracks.
We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and are always looking to expand our community outreach program. If you work with an Ohio charity or NGO and think you could benefit from our guidance, please leave your details and an outline of your cause below.
Donations are tax-deductible.
More About Gray’s Gives 🏳️🌈
Cool Art, Cool Causes
Some of our auction proceeds benefit Cleveland’s Art Therapy Studio. This standout nonprofit has provided our local community with art therapy services for over 50 years. They use the process of making art as a tool to help people by promoting self-reflection, mindfulness, perspective, and insight.
In this time, they’ve delivered innovative therapeutic art programs to more than 50,000 people throughout Cuyahoga and neighboring counties in various settings.
Their commitment to healing through art inspires us, and we are proud to help support them in what they do. Buy cool art and support cool causes. It’s a win-win!