July 9, 2012; American Bar Association: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are, unfortunately, overrepresented in the child-welfare system, juvenile-justice system, and homeless population. While involved in these systems or living on the streets, LGBTQ youth experience more harassment, violence, and rejection, and engage in more suicide attempts, than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. The best practices for providing high-quality representation of the unique LGBTQ youth population was discussed during the March 13, 2012, 1.5-hour webinar and telephone conference “Recognizing and Addressing LGBTQ Issues in Your Children’s Law Caseload.” Secondary Link
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Information Packet: LGBTQ Youth Permanency.
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections: Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning (LGBTQ) youth fear that their families will reject them if they disclose their sexual identity. LGBTQ youth continue to suffer from the effects of discrimination within the child welfare system. They can find themselves in group homes where they endure peer bullying that is often tacitly or expressly condoned by staff. Foster parents may pressure LGBTQ youth to somehow change or suppress their sexual identities or may send them back to their agencies. Eventually, such foster parents become known to their agencies, which accommodate them by not sending them LGBTQ youth. Unsurprisingly, permanency is rarely considered an option for these youth. Link to Information Packet Contains a Fact Sheet, Best Practice Tips and a long list of links to additional resources to help with this population.