Not all Children are Straight and White: Strategies for Serving Youth of Color in Out-of-Home care who Identify as LGBTQ

Most child welfare systems are ill-equipped to affirm and support the multifaceted identity of youth of color who identify as LGBTQ whose whole identities include, among other characteristics, their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability and immigration status. Separately and together, these identities are often subjected to bias, discrimination and current and historical oppression by communities and public systems. This article builds on current best practice standards for serving youth who identify as LGBTQ by focusing on strategies, developed with input from young people, for ensuring safety and healthy development, promoting well-being, committing to permanency, and fostering agency accountability.