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& Questioning Youth

L. G. B. T. & Questioning Youth. Presented by Deborah Sutton Executive Director. Legal Rights . Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning youth in the foster care system have established civil rights

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& Questioning Youth

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  1. L G B T & Questioning Youth

  2. Presented by Deborah Sutton Executive Director

  3. Legal Rights • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning youth in the foster care system have established civil rights • Like all children in state custody , LGBTQ youth have a right to be safe in their placements • All youth in state custody have a federal constitutional right to equal protection under the law • LGBTQ youth have a right to express their sexual orientation and gender identity without negative consequences or retaliation.

  4. Foster Youth Bill of Rightsstates If you are a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning youth, your rights and protections include not being subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of your actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity

  5. Safety • LGBTQ youth have a right to be protected from emotional and physical abuse in their child welfare placements • LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system have a right to receive appropriate medical and mental health care and may not be forced to undergo inappropriate or unethical services that may be damaging to their emotional well-being • LGBTQ youth facing extreme abuse or harassment are at an increased risk of suicide

  6. Ensuring continued Safety • All Service Providers have a legal obligation • To protect LGBTQ youth from experiencing harassment , discrimination or experience emotional or physical abuse, either inside their home, in the community or at school. Because these youth are vulnerable to mistreatment, it is imperative that they are provided appropriate oversight and supervision, so that youth who are at risk of harm are and continue to be safe and appropriately cared for • Foster Parents and other Care Providers: • must not be permitted to intimidate or coerce a young person into adopting any particular religious practices or beliefs because LGBT youth must be allowed to explore their own religion and/or spirituality with compassion and support

  7. Liability • The case worker or placing agency may be held liable if they knew or should have known that by placing the youth in this home, he or she would be at risk • Any professionals who fail to monitor and supervise LGBTQ youth, constitutes a breach of the duty to protect

  8. LGBTQ Youth Staggering Statistics • 30% Experience violence in the family after coming out • 26% are runaway or throwaway • Victimized • 70% LGBTQ youth in group homes reported violence • 100% reported verbal harassment • Displaced • 78% removed or run away from placements because of hostility • Do not find permanency • Segregated • Separated from youth of the same sex • Experience inappropriate sex offense charges • Substance abuse due to stigma .

  9. Responsibilities • Listen • Accept • Allow • Support • Protect

  10. Final thoughts Agencies and institutions should educate themselves on the needs of LGBTQ youth and the scope of their civil rights They also should enact non-discrimination policies, train child welfare staff, foster parents and other care providers on how to work with LGBTQ youth and establish practices that deal effectively with anti-LGBTQ abuse

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