“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” – Audre Lorde
Pride month is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and recognize the work that has been put forth to achieve equal justice and opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community. We know that some LGBTQ+ adults and youth may feel unsupported. At the Coalition, we are committed to serving and supporting all children, youth, and families.
You may ask, why is this important to foster, adoptive, and relative caregiving families? Studies have shown that 26% of young people who come out as LGBTQ+ to their families are forced to leave their homes, and that 78% of these youth have experienced bias or harassment in their foster care placement. These youth may continue to face rejection as they move from foster home to foster home, looking for the acceptance they deserve. This leaves them vulnerable to mental illness, health issues, and homelessness. There is a need for loving and affirming families for ALL youth in foster care.
At the Coalition, our focus is on LGBTQ+ youth, the families who support them, and LGBTQ+ adults who want to foster or adopt. Kind and compassionate adults, regardless of orientation, age, relationship status, or physical abilities can be loving caretakers to vulnerable youth in foster care. We invite LGBTQ+ couples and individuals to find out more about the licensing process for foster care. As always, the staff of the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families is here to answer questions and offer resources and support.
Recommended Resources
From the Lending Library
- Families Like Mine: Children of Gay Parents Tell It Like It Is, by Abigail Garner
Training & Resources From Champion Classrooms
Additional Resources
