A statement from the National Safe Schools Roundtable about its commitment to addressing issues of race and racism as an integral part of its work to improve the wellbeing of LGBTQ youth in schools. Download PDF
Our Voices
AB 458, the Foster Care Non-Discrimination Act, went into effect on January 1, 2004. This law is the first of its kind in the United States to explicitly include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and adults involved with the foster care system. Download PDF
Hidden Injustice, published by the Equity Project, a collaboration of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Legal Services for Children, and the National Juvenile Defender Center, represents the first effort to examine the experiences of LGBTQ youth in juvenile courts across the country. Drawing from first-hand accounts of more than 50 LGBTQ youth and in-depth interviews of more than 60 juvenile justice professionals, this groundbreaking report sheds light on the numerous barriers to fair...
This joint publication with NCLR and GLSEN provides an overview of lawsuits brought against school districts for failing to protect students from anti-LGBTQ harassment and discrimination. In all of the cases, the student either prevailed after trial, or achieved a settlement. The school districts paid up to $1.1 million in settlements or judgments and often were required to implement significant policy changes and training programs. Download PDF
This bill provides a comprehensive bill of rights to protect youth in California juvenile justice facilities from discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender Identity. Download PDF
Because of the persistence of bias and discrimination against transgender people generally, the societal lack of understanding of gender and sexuality, and a distrust of difference, transgender youth are at high risk for involvement in the juvenile justice system. For many of these youth, their gender identity is relevant both to why they were arrested and to their needs once they are brought into the courtroom. This article discusses how law, policy, and legal representation are regularly...
Students with LGBTQ parents have the right to attend school in safety, free of any form of harassment or discrimination. This brochure provides a brief overview of California law and quick facts on families with LGBTQ parents. Download PDF
Over the last few years, a coordinated national effort to improve the treatment of LGBTQ youth in child welfare and juvenile justice systems situation has emerged through the hard work of hundreds of advocates from around the country. This article describes some of their successes in using the legal rights of LGBTQ youth to create effective nondiscrimination policies, best practices guidelines, and other resources to support LGBTQ youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. A...
Youth in state custody, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have federal and state constitutional and statutory rights. These rights guarantee a young person safety in their placement as well as freedom from the deprivation of other liberty interests. Knowledge of a youth’s legal rights can help providers avoid legal liability and create a safer and healthier environment for LGBTQ youth. A version of this article appears in Child Welfare (Volume 85, Issue 2), a journal...
Using statistics and quotes from LGBTQ youth, this fact sheet provides an overview of many LGBTQ youths’ pathways into care and their experiences in child welfare placements. Download PDF
