Trans, nonbinary youth face inequities in foster care, justice system, homeless services

Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Youth Face Challenges in Out-of-Home Systems

Introduction

A new report released on International Youth Day highlights the challenges and harms faced by transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth in foster care, the justice system, and homeless services. The report, titled “Safe Havens II: We Must Affirm and Support Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Youth in Out-of-Home Systems,” combines recommendations from young advocates with lived experience in these systems with an update on important law and policy protections and attacks on these young people. The report emphasizes the need to address these challenges in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Findings

1. The report highlights the federal and state laws and policies in place to support transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth in out-of-home systems.
2. The report notes the dearth of programs to prevent system involvement and promote youth acceptance by their families and communities.
3. Nonbinary and gender-diverse people experience disproportionate poor health outcomes compared to their binary trans and cisgender peers.
4. Anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policies at the state level have increased, particularly affecting trans and nonbinary youth.

Challenges Faced by Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender-Diverse Youth

• Forty-six states have no explicit law or policy protecting youth experiencing homelessness from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
• Twenty-eight states have harmful laws or policies specifically targeting trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth, involving various aspects such as health care access, school curricula, parental notification requirements, restroom and facility access, and sports participation.
• Nineteen of the 28 states with harmful laws or policies also have no explicit protection from gender identity-based discrimination in child welfare or juvenile legal systems.
• Only two states acknowledge the existence of nonbinary youth in child welfare or juvenile legal system law, policy, or practice guidance.
• Only four states have any legal or policy requirement to provide services that help prevent system involvement or promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth by their families.

Recommendations and Call to Action

The report calls for a robust response from policymakers and urges the implementation of comprehensive strategies to support young people in their communities, prevent their involvement in the homeless, juvenile legal, and child welfare systems, and protect those already within systems from harm. It emphasizes the importance of integrating the advice of youth with lived experience, specifically transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth, in policy and system improvement efforts. The report highlights the need for policies anchored in rigorous research rather than stigma and bias.

Youth Contributors

• Emilio
• Gina
• Jaxsyn
• Kayden
• Paris
• Shawn
• Tyler

Conclusion

The report sheds light on the challenges faced by transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth in out-of-home systems and emphasizes the need for supportive policies and comprehensive strategies. It calls for policymakers to listen to the voices of these young people and take action to protect their rights and affirm their identities. By addressing the systemic failures and implementing the recommendations provided in the report, society can better support LGBTQ+ youth and ensure their well-being and inclusion in communities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Existence of federal and state laws and policies supporting transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth in out-of-home systems
• Number of programs in place to prevent system involvement and promote youth acceptance by their families and communities
• Presence of explicit protection from gender identity-based discrimination in child welfare or juvenile legal systems
• Recognition of the existence of nonbinary youth in child welfare or juvenile legal system law, policy, or practice guidance
• Number of states with legal or policy requirements to provide services that help prevent system involvement or promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth by their families
• Number of states with harmful laws or policies targeting trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth in areas such as health care access, school curricula, parental notification requirements, restroom and facility access, and sports participation
• Number of states with explicit protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression for youth experiencing homelessness

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: advocate.com