I was deeply concerned to read 20 per cent of homeless young people in Brighton and Hove are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender and such LGBT young people are over-represented in the homeless population.

What was even more shocking was they had they been subject to bullying not only at school but often in the family home.

This is the one place where they should have expected to receive love, support and understanding.

I know of parents who have a real paranoid fear of their children being LGBT, not because they think it morally wrong but because they are frightened of what people will think.

In particular, boys who are quiet, studious, caring and compassionate are felt to be less than "men" by both parents and this causes tension and rejection leading to homelessness.

Such young people need love and understanding, help and support.

To this end, a hostel to care for the group's needs should be established and the YMCA, with its wide experience and Christian compassion, is the organisation to do it.

I hope it can set such a scheme in motion as soon as possible and that the work will not be hindered by Nimbys and homophobes.

-Reverend John Webster, Hove