“Making Room: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging, and a Safe Place for LGBTQ Youth”
Carl Siciliano
Convergent Books, 2024, 304 Pages

At A Glance: “Making Room” is a heartfelt and insightful account of the author’s decades-long commitment to providing shelter and acceptance for homeless 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in New York City, inspired by his bond with a nonbinary teenager and his own experiences as a marginalized gay Catholic man.

Overview: In “Making Room: Three Decades of Fighting for Beds, Belonging, and a Safe Place for LGBTQ Youth,” Carl Siciliano shares an inspiring account of his journey as the founder of a major housing program for homeless 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. The book details his friendship with Ali Forney, a Black nonbinary teenager, and his experiences with numerous queer kids, highlighting the harsh realities of gentrification, housing insecurity, and the AIDS epidemic in New York City.

Siciliano’s own struggles as a gay Catholic man dismissed by the church fuel his commitment to create a safe and loving space for these marginalized youths. This narrative is a blend of personal recollection and 2SLGBTQIA+ history, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative impact of community and solidarity. It also highlights Siciliano’s role in influencing New York City to significantly invest in the well-being of its forgotten children, making it a compelling read that illustrates the lasting power of empathy and action.

Thoughts from Readers: