Monica
Monica Renee is 22. She is an outcast and homeless.
Growing up poor and being raised by a single mother with two siblings was difficult. However, being challenged by racial and sexual discrimination, as Monica explains, made it worse. "I’m already black – that’s already a classification going against me. And it’s just hard being gay, period, no matter what color you are. But it’s a lot harder for a lesbian who is a stud because being gay is a ‘no-no’ amongst African Americans, especially to the older people in our community.”
Lack of acceptance from family and instable homes began early for Monica. She remembers the confusion of constantly being uprooted as soon as she created bonds with other young girls.
After years of struggling to accept her own sexuality, Monica finally came out, and she was met with abandonment. At fourteen she was homeless, couch surfing, sleeping in cars, bus stops, and even a funeral home. Lack of unconditional love landed Monica in a group home at seventeen.
She quickly developed a "me against the world" mentality, and grew up well before her time.
Although Monica has struggled to maintain stable relationships, jobs and apartments, she completed her GED and graduated from MATC with a certificate in audio engineering. Her talent and passion for music has given her a powerful outlet to reflect on her life, resulting in a strong sense of self-respect. Deep down, Monica knows her homelessness, similar to many other LGBT young adults, is a result of misunderstood hate. "I feel like my family deals with me because they feel like they have to, but they don't respect me as the person I am. Accept the way
I dress, that I'm not rich or skinny. Respect that I'm lesbian. Everyone gave up too soon and too quick.”
Back to Out of Respect
Growing up poor and being raised by a single mother with two siblings was difficult. However, being challenged by racial and sexual discrimination, as Monica explains, made it worse. "I’m already black – that’s already a classification going against me. And it’s just hard being gay, period, no matter what color you are. But it’s a lot harder for a lesbian who is a stud because being gay is a ‘no-no’ amongst African Americans, especially to the older people in our community.”
Lack of acceptance from family and instable homes began early for Monica. She remembers the confusion of constantly being uprooted as soon as she created bonds with other young girls.
After years of struggling to accept her own sexuality, Monica finally came out, and she was met with abandonment. At fourteen she was homeless, couch surfing, sleeping in cars, bus stops, and even a funeral home. Lack of unconditional love landed Monica in a group home at seventeen.
She quickly developed a "me against the world" mentality, and grew up well before her time.
Although Monica has struggled to maintain stable relationships, jobs and apartments, she completed her GED and graduated from MATC with a certificate in audio engineering. Her talent and passion for music has given her a powerful outlet to reflect on her life, resulting in a strong sense of self-respect. Deep down, Monica knows her homelessness, similar to many other LGBT young adults, is a result of misunderstood hate. "I feel like my family deals with me because they feel like they have to, but they don't respect me as the person I am. Accept the way
I dress, that I'm not rich or skinny. Respect that I'm lesbian. Everyone gave up too soon and too quick.”
Back to Out of Respect
