Advocate and Celebrate Pride and Diversity

As National LGBTQ+ Pride Month comes to a close, CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties would like to honor and celebrate the many members of the LGBTQ+ community in the child welfare system and those who work to advocate for their rights on a daily basis. LGBTQ+ youth enter the child welfare system for reasons similar those of other children and youth, that is, their birth families cannot provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.

According to the Children's Rights Organization, a little over 30% of older youth in the foster care system identify as LGBTQ+. This number is significantly higher than the 11% of children who identified as LGBTQ+ outside of the foster care system. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in child welfare systems, even though they are likely to be underreported because they risk harassment and abuse if their LGBTQ+ identity is disclosed.

This large percentage of children face a unique set of challenges in addition to the adversity they experience as children in the foster care system. Experiencing higher rates of harassment, neglect, and abuse, LGBTQ+ children struggle to find safe and supportive foster homes and caregivers. Furthermore, LGBTQ+ youth of color are disproportionately overrepresented in the child welfare system and stay longer in child welfare systems, while also having an increased risk of experiencing discrimination and violence compared to their peers.

In some cases, families reject, neglect, or abuse young people when they learn that they identify as LGBTQ+ or are questioning their romantic/sexual orientation or gender identity. Often times, these children who find themselves in unsupportive homes flee the maltreatment which consequently results in their living on the street or seeking refuge in shelters. The Williams Institute found that children who identify as LGBTQ+ represent 40% of the homeless youth population.

Like all youth, LGBTQ+ youth need a safe and stable place to live, freedom to express themselves, and structure and guidance to support them in becoming responsible, healthy adults. Your support of CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties provides for the very best volunteer advocacy for children of all races and genders removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties will host a Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, July 10, 5:30-6:30 pm and an In-Person Information Session on Monday, July 22, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Lancaster office. Learn more about becoming a CASA and register for either session by visiting www.casalancleb.org or calling 717- 286-1430.