SALT LAKE CITY -- Two Utah women have embarked on a cross country walk to raise awareness of homeless youth who are gay, lesbian or transgender.

Chloe Noble and Jill Hardman began their journey in May from Seattle. Bound for Washington, D.C., the pair are making stops in various cities to speak at community centers and rallies about the struggles of homeless youth, including finding safe sleeping spots, police harassment, sexual predators and exposure to drugs and alcohol. The 3,000-plus mile trip is expected to take six months.

Noble, Hardman and Nicole Tomlin are currently walking between Portland and San Francisco.

Noble says they are scheduled to arrive in Salt Lake City on July 20. A chronicle of the Homeless Youth Pride Walk can be found on the Internet.

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On the Net:

Homeless Youth Pride Walk: http://www.pridewalk2009.org/

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