Healthy development depends on the interplay between protective and risk factors that affect a child through early adulthood. Identity formation, parent and peer relations, and connection to community. Research reveals that experiencing marginalization, physical or verbal threats, discrimination, victimization, and trauma can negatively affect physical, social, emotional, and mental health. For youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) or questioning (Q) their sexual orientation or gender identity, these risks present particular challenges to their well-being.
The following resources are intended to help identify and implement responsive and inclusive services for youth who are LGBT or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. They promote the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of LGBTQ youth and create safe schools where LGBTQ students are free to learn without fear of violence or discrimination.
- Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach for LGBTQ Youth: Two Part Issue Brief Series
Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach for LGBTQ Youth is a two-part resource that addresses the prevalence and impact of trauma among LGBTQ youth and provides schools and community agencies with a framework and strategies for adopting a trauma-informed approach that considers the unique experiences and needs of LGBTQ youth.
- A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
Offers information and resources to help practitioners throughout health and social service systems implement best practices in engaging and helping families and caregivers to support their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children.
- Improving Policies and Practices for LGBTQ Children and Youth: A Strategic Planning Tool
Identifies action steps you can take in your organizational (e.g., child welfare agency, school) and community roles to improve services and supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children/youth and their families and those questioning (Q) their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Recommended LGBTQ Children, Youth, and Families Cultural Competence Tools, Curricula, and Resources
Recommends resources that can support workforce development in child-, youth-, and family-serving systems (e.g., schools, healthcare, child welfare, homelessness, juvenile justice). Resources are intended to support more competent practice and affirming, inclusive services and supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) children, youth, and families.
- A Guide for Understanding, Supporting, and Affirming LGBTQI2-S Children, Youth, and Families
Provides general information for service providers, educators, allies, and community members who seek to support the health and well-being of children and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and/or two-spirit (LGBTQI2-S) and their families.
- Safe Space Kit: A Guide to Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Students in Your School
Houses a resource that is designed to help educators create a safe space for LGBT students. It provides educators with practical ways that they can be allies to LGBT students and create a safer school environment for all students.
- The Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools (2011 National School Climate Survey)
Examines the experiences of LGBT students nationally and looks at negative indicators affecting these students, as well as potential benefits of positive resources such as Gay-Straight Alliances, inclusive curricula, supportive adults, and anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies.
- A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children
Provides information and resources to assist practitioners within the health and social service systems to implement best practices in engaging/helping families and/or caregivers to support their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children.
- Building Support for Schools that Openly Affirm the Diversity of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Provides a toolkit for parents, students, educators, researchers, and advocates who want to ensure broad community support for school programs and policies that address stigma or bias connected to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.