One of My Most Favourite People in the community is Dr. Alex Abramovich. I always had great respect for him. Dr. Abramovich, Scientist, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), is a passionate man who is all community at heart, and he’s an advocate for homeless youth. In 2016 he was the recipient of INSPIRE Awards LGBTQ Person of the Year Award.

When I heard he was a working on a new book, I had to know more about it.

Tell us a little bit about the book and how did it come about?

The book, Where am I Going to Go? Intersectional Approaches to Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness in Canada and the US. was truly a project of love and hope, co-edited by my good friend and colleague Jama Shelton and I. It includes 53 contributors in 11 chapters, with eight case studies and the voices and wisdom of LGBTQ2S youth in Canada and the U.S. It is the first academic text focusing on LGBTQ2S youth homelessness.

Published by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, each chapter addresses a specific need and its associated barriers, accompanied by a case study of a successful program that acts as a solution. Where am I Going to Go shares new knowledge and informs the development of LGBTQ2S inclusive and affirming systems and service provisions at the local, regional, and national levels.

What is your academic background?

I have an Honours BA in Psychology, MA in Critical Disability Studies, and PhD in Adult Education and Community Development. I have been addressing the issue of LGBTQ2S youth homelessness for over 10 years through advocacy, activism, and research.

Is youth homelessness a big issue in the LGBTQ community?

Yes, LGBTQ2S youth homelessness continues to be a major issue across Canada. Approximately 25-40% of youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ2S. Queer and trans youth are over-represented amongst youth experiencing homelessness, but underrepresented in shelters and housing programs due to homophobic and transphobic discrimination and violence.

Why was it important for you to work on this book?

As queer researchers with a profound understanding of family rejection and the complexities of coming out, as well as the relationship between coming out and homelessness, we are deeply connected to this work. Our relationship to this work has taught us about reflexivity and the importance of being reflective researchers. This book was an important project because it allowed us to share new and important knowledge on LGBTQ2S youth homelessness in Canada and the U.S.

What do you hope the results of having this book out would be?

We put this book out into the world with the hope that it may help create a necessary shift, so that all young people have a safe place to call home, and that together we may work to end LGBTQ2S youth homelessness.

#WhereAmIGoingtoGo

You can download it for free here or order it online.

See this year’s line up of entertainment here.

 

About the Author

Antoine has on numerous occasions said that everything he does is "a love letter to the LGBTQ community". and he truly loves this community. A 29 years' media and marketing leader, Antoine is the publisher of theBUZZ, The Pink Pages Directory, PinkPlayMags, and a magazine for Durham Region families The Local Biz Magazine, and is the host of talk show "On the Couch". On his off time he is usually involved in community organizations and causes.