Being in foster care is tough enough; being LGBTQ in foster care can be bleak. Over 30% of youth in care identify as LGBTQ. They are 3 times more likely to attempt suicide and 4 times more likely to be kicked out or run away for being queer. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Full Spectrum of Love
" You don't need to have special skills to care for LGBTQ youth, you just need to be a safe, affirming adult."
While LGBTQ youth in care face unique circumstances, their sexual orientation and/or gender identity shouldn’t be seen as an additional challenge. Queer youth are no different than their non-lgbtq peers. They experience the same milestones and turbulence as any teenager. This means that you don’t need to have special skills to care for LGBTQ youth, you just need to be a safe, affirming adult.
All children deserve a safe and loving home.
Join us in taking the SAFE HOME PLEDGE to show your commitment to vulnerable youth.
- We are intentionally inclusive in the language we use.
- We affirm a child’s chosen name and pronouns in ALL conversations, whether the child is present or not.
- We actively stand up against discrimination and bullying.
- We advocate for youth in our care to be able to express their true selves.
- We advocate against any form of conversion therapy for the youth in our care – clinical or religious.
- We will continue to learn and incorporate current terms and best practices in our home.
- We will educate ourselves about intersectionality and its effects on LGBTQ individuals.
Share your commitment on social media and invite your friends to take the pledge.
Take the pledge, today!
Foster Parent Qualifications
In order to assure a safe and stable home for children in foster care, there are some basic qualifications that all families are required to meet. Foster Parents:
- May be legally married couples or single individuals (aged 18 or older). Same-sex couples are included within this requirement and are welcomed and encouraged to apply. *Any couple not legally married are unable to be licensed.
- Must have current legal status in the United States.
- All persons aged 18 and older in the home must pass background checks.
- Must be financially stable and able to support their family without relying upon the foster care reimbursement.
- Need to be healthy enough to care for children, as determined by their own medical provider.
- Will not be licensed to do both foster care and day care at the same time.
Interested in being a safe home for LGBTQ youth?
Families of LGBTQ Youth (FLY) Statewide Cluster
Cache County:
- FHE for ALL
- Insta: @fheforall_cachevalley
- Logan Pride Center
- Cache Pride Center
- Family Solutions Counseling
- Utah Rainbow Hikers
- Insta: @utahrainbowhikers
Davis County:
- Utah LGBT Hangouts
- Insta: @utahlgbthangouts
- Creating Community LGBTQ & Allies
- Contact Jordan Jackson via Facebook to join: @https://www.facebook.com/MusicFan7737
- Flourish Therapy
Weber County:
- Pride Center
- Transactive Support Group
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/transactivelds
- Weber State LGBT Resource Center
- Youth Futures
- Homeless shelter and resources
Salt Lake County:
- Utah Pride Center
- Equality Utah
- Encircle
- Salt Lake City
- Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Cheer Salt Lake
- Queer Utah Aquatic Club
- Queer Friends
- Stonewall Sports
- Rainbow Mutual
- Radical Adventure Riders
- Transgender Family Medicine
Utah County:
- RaYnbow Collective
- Encircle
- Provo
- Heber
- Queer Meals
- Pride Center
- Share your Light Support Group
- 801-830-1163
- Celebrate Therapy
- BYUQ
- The OUT Foundation
Washington County:
- Encircle
- St. George
- Pride Center
- LGBTQ+ Workplace Education Center
- Youth Futures
- Homeless Shelter
- Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State) LGBTQ+ Resource Center
- SUU Pride Alliance
LDS Resources:
- Listen, Learn & Love
- Latter Day Saint LGBTQ Resource Center
- Lift + Love
- Strengthening LDS LGBTQ Individuals + Families
Queer Friendly Churches
Salt Lake City:
First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City
569 South 1300 East
801-582-8687
~
Sacred Light of Christ
823 South 600 East
(801) 595-0052
~
The Cathedral of Saint Mark
231 East 100 South
~
First Baptist Church
777 South 1300 East
801.582.4921
~
First United Methodist
203 S 200 E
801.328.8726
Learning About Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (SOGIE)
presented by The Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity
Mama Dragons introduces PARACHUTE, an e-learning program that provides the resources needed to affirm, support, and celebrate LGBTQ children (click Image for more information).
Note: Classes are free for licensed foster and kinship parents through our learning portal-Thanks to the generous donation from Mama Dragons!
Reaching Higher: Caring for LGBTQ Youth
Presented by Amy Bates
Fostering Conversations Podcast
Episode 14: LGBTQ Kids-What Foster Parents Need to Know
Readings:
A Parent’s Guide: When Kids Come Out PDFAParentsGuide
Parachute-by Mama DragonsParachute – by Mama Dragons
How to Be an AllyHRC ACAF How to be an Ally
Best Practices (English)FAP_English Booklet_pst
Best Practices (Espanol)FAP_Spanish Booklet_pst_0
Responding to Harmful MisconceptionsHRC ACAF Responding to Harmful Misconceptions
“Having parents that are queer affirming definitely helped me accept my own sexuality...I wouldn't have been able to without their acceptance.”
Ramiro Shearer-Davisgay youth adopted through foster care
Don’t take our word for it: Doug & Tito
