Radical Healing in Precarity: LGBTQ+ Young People’s Approaches to Life Challenges and Aspirations through Pet Caregiving in the Context of Homelessness

Abstract

Homelessness remains an enduring challenge for people from all backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) young people disproportionately experience housing instability. Navigating structural oppressions tied to both their identities as well as economic inequalities can shape multiple mental health stressors for LGBTQ+ young adults. Despite these struggles, LGBTQ+ young people continue to persevere and hope, and their aspirations often prioritize processes of recovery. Healing pathways may involve forging bonds with pets or companion animals, which can be precarious in the context of homelessness. Through a radical healing framework, we qualitatively uplift the perspectives of 17 LGBTQ+ young adults (18–24) to illustrate how they may develop their wellbeing through pet caregiving and aspiration building while homeless. Participants highlighted the structural constraints of homelessness creating barriers to aspirations such as pet caregiving, but also how pets promoted their emotional wellbeing and motivation to hold onto their dreams. Findings point to avenues of service and intervention development that center LGBTQ+ young people’s hopes and dreams in homelessness beyond a sole focus on basic needs.