Non-binary former arts director shares harrowing journey from homelessness to hope
"I resorted to skip and bin diving to find food to survive," recounts 58-year-old Stella Baker, a non-binary L&Q resident, as they reflect on their time on the streets. Stella shared their harrowing journey from homelessness to hope after facing discrimination as a trans person.
Back in 2005, Stella had a successful job working in the performing arts space in Poland as a well-known set director, but when they came out as trans, their whole life turned upside down.
“Coming out as trans didn't work out well for me, I lost everything,” said Stella, who is originally from Yorkshire.
“At that time, it was perceived as sexual deviancy.
"I found myself enduring sub-zero temperatures on the streets in southern Poland for about a month. I had to leave otherwise I’d have died there.”
After spending four days hitchhiking their way back to London, Stella eventually found a place to sleep near a block of flats behind a collection of bins before receiving support from Crisis, a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness.
However, their journey was not without challenges, including experiencing bullying, discrimination and sexual assault while in hostel accommodation.
Stella added: “Because I was not in control and I couldn’t express myself as me, I developed gender dysphoria as I had to go back into man-mode.
“My identity as trans was not taken into account in the way that I needed it to be and that was hard, and I did start to get resentful towards people.
"I eventually came out as trans at one hostel, which gave them a curve ball, and they tried to put me on the male wing and refused to have me on the women’s wing. I needed something in the middle.”
Homeless LGBTQ+ participants in a recent government study found that they often reported feeling unsafe in temporary and supported accommodations such as hostels and night shelters.
According to Crisis, there is existing evidence that suggests temporary housing can be chaotic environments that homeless people find difficult to live in regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
However, the evidence base suggests that some experiences are specific to, or more common among, LGBTQ+ homeless people.
Issues of safety, harassment and victimisation, according to the government’s recent report, are both more prominent in LGBTQ+ homelessness.
As a housing provider with a strong social purpose, L&Q is proud to play an active role in combatting rough sleeping across London through its Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI).
The initiative has successfully housed former rough sleepers, including those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Lyron Johnson, Head of Service Housing Management, said they have successfully housed 17 former rough sleepers this year.
“Our RSI team and L&Q ensure we always provide an inclusive and open service.
"For instance, when we had our first non-binary resident, we collaborated with them and our IT department to push forward the Mx option when addressing them on the phone or in writing.
"Our resident truly appreciated this and our approach towards ensuring all professionals were understanding and respectful to their request”, said Lyron.
Stella was eventually offered a flat in Wandsworth, where they have lived happily since 2005.
“I finally had a place to call my own, a secure space, which was bigger than a room where I didn’t have to share things, and I could truly be me,” said Stella, who has battled with food addiction since their rough sleeping days, as well as other health issues, which has impacted their ability to hold down a more conventional job.
Stella's story sheds light on the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness and highlights the importance of support and understanding in providing safe and inclusive housing solutions.
Stella, who has recently undergone surgery for a pacemaker, now hopes to become a support worker to help those facing similar hardships.
Stella added: “I wouldn’t wish homelessness on anyone, it’s an incredibly harsh life lesson. But I have learned that there are more kind people out there than you think, there is always someone who is prepared to offer you help and support and often when you least expect it. You just have to be open to it.”
According to Crisis, people become homeless for lots of different reasons. Life events like a relationship breaking down, losing a job, mental or physical health problems, or substance misuse put people under considerable strain.
On any given night, tens of thousands of families and individuals are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness across the UK. This includes more than 320,000 in England alone.
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, visit Crisis to access the help available to you.