“Areyouabout to complain about Simon Says?” Nate asked.
“No,” Joshua informed him. “I want to discuss LGBTQ+ youth who are houseless and therefore have little tonochance of joininganycamp.”
“Hmmm,” David hummed, leaning back in his chair. “How many kids are we talking about, Josh?”
“I don’t know. Specific statistics for Charlottesville are hard to get, and even statewide numbers on LGBTQ+ youth are difficult to find. What Idoknow is that research indicates that LGBTQ+ youth are 120 percent more likely to be living on the street than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. That means there are nearly 1.7 million LGBTQ+ youth at risk for homelessness in this country, and I find that horrifying.”
“Makes me sick that the kids who need it most won’t get to be part of Camp Pride,” Nate growled out.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that, Nate,” Colin said, his eyes fixed on Joshua. “My husband is now on the case, and that is almost sure to change the situation.”
“All I’m asking is that we reach out to a group like Project Hope and try to include some of those kids.” He drew in a deep breath. “It just seems wrong not to.”
“Will they be Charlottesville kids?” David asked. “Or Albemarle County kids?”
“Possibly neither one. But theywillbe Virginia kids,andthey’ll be LGBTQ+ kids.”
“OK, listen to me,” David said, leaning toward Joshua. “I’m not saying Iagreewith this position, but some of the parents who have paid for their children to be at Camp Pride may balk at their child sharing quarters with an LGBTQ+ youth who happens to be unhoused.”
“Don’t tell them!” Nate shot back.
“And if theirchildtells them?” David inquired.
“No, no, no,” Joshua protested, shaking his head. “We are going to be completely transparent in everything connected withCamp Pride. Any parent who wishes to withdraw their child because we include unhoused youth in this program is free to do so and will receive a full refund.”
“These are the kids who need itmost,” Nate added.
“Do they?” David asked. And when Joshua opened his mouth to protest, David lifted a hand to stop him. “Listen to me! I donotobject to including these kids. Not at all. But I’m asking you topleaseconsider the ramifications of what you’re proposing. We can’t just scoop up a kid from a Walmart parking lot, give them one week of belonging, and then drop them back into nothing. That’s not a kindness. It’s a setup. I want these kids there, believe me! I’m just saying we have to move carefully. These are vulnerable children who already feel abandoned. I don’t want us to end up doing more harm than good.”
“You’re right, of course,” Joshua replied. “And that’s why I mentioned Project Hope. Bringing in youth from the homeless population would require a lot of thought and sensitivity. The staff at Project Hope can guide us. Believe it or not, Charlottesville City Schools also has a vigorous program that supports youth who are experiencing homelessness. Keeping them in school. Providing them with school supplies. They might also be able to help us.”
“There’s one other consideration Ihaveto mention,” Colin said, his voice low. “I don’t like it, but I feel as though Ihaveto say it.” He shot a nervous look at Joshua and breathed out a long sigh. “A lot of the kids who are displaced are into drugs.”
“Colin …” Joshua began.
“I knowallof them aren’t using,” Colin said, reaching to take Joshua’s hand. “It’s just not something we can afford to ignore.”
“Oh, holy crap,” Nate moaned.
Colin looked down, his jaw tight. “I’ve seen it, Josh. Kids that age. I’ve seen how quickly they can get caught up in the ‘glam’ of drug use.” He drew Joshua closer. “All I’m saying is we donotwant to be in a situation where someone’s child—homeless or not—dies of an overdose on our watch!”
There was a long, painful silence.
“OK,” Joshua said finally. “Before we take this idea one step further, I’m going to talk to the people at Project Hope.” He turned to face his husband. “You raise an important point,” he told Colin. “But bear in mind thatanyof the youth who take part in Camp Pride could be using drugs, not just the homeless youth.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Colin replied, lacing their fingers together. “And like it or not, we have to think about how to address that issue.”
“You’re the cop in this outfit,” Nate said, reaching to poke Colin’s shoulder. “I say we leave it in your capable hands.”
“I won’t be acting as a cop,” Colin told him. “We won’t establish trust with these kids by asking them to pee into a cup the second they step off the bus.”
“We definitelywon’tdo that,” Joshua replied
“Let me think about it,” Colin told him. “I’ll come up with a way to address it.” He lowered his head, and Joshua saw his jaw tighten.
“I have one other thing to present to the group,” Joshua said, tightening his fingers on Colin’s. “The other therapy centers involved in Camp Pride havenotbeen enthusiastic about providing staff. They’re happy to throw money at the problem but not personnel.” He shot a sideways glance at Colin. “Therefore, I am suggesting that we ask Trent and Jeff to be part of this. They’re good guys, and I know we all trust them.”
“Oh, my god,” Colin moaned, causing Nate to burst into giggles and point at him.
