PRIDE MONTH

According to a 2019 study, 30% of youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ+ and 5% as Transgender. (Compared to youth not in foster care, at 11% and 1% respectively.)

Young people in the LGBTQ+ community are overrepresented in foster care and are also more likely to experience discrimination, abuse, neglect, and the risk of harm. Many LGBTQ+ youth run away from home or are rejected from their families of origin upon learning that they identify as LGBTQ+, and some face this within their foster families as well. Houston Angels supports the push for awareness and advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth while striving to help foster families acknowledge, respect, and support their LGBTQ+ youth to protect their well-being. All children and youth deserve a nurturing home where they feel safe to be themselves.

Houston Angels is proud to support #PrideMonth as we have many children, youth, caregivers, volunteers, and staff members who are a part of this community. We are committed to continuing to provide a space where our LGBTQ+ community is not only accepted but celebrated for all that they bring to the world by being uniquely themselves!

❤️We believe... Everyone deserves and can benefit from deep, meaningful relationships.

🧡We believe... Every child, youth, and family experiencing foster care deserves to be fully seen, heard, and supported by healthy, affirming, and lasting relationships.

💛We believe... Every single one of us has a role to play in changing the way children, youth, and families experience foster care, and that it will take a diverse community with varying backgrounds, experiences, and identities to do this.
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💚We believe... In elevating the voices of those who are experiencing foster care and using their lived experiences to guide what it means to provide intentional support.


Helpful tips for foster families, mentors, volunteers, or any other community members who are supporting an LGBTQ+ youth in foster care:
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• Do not use or tolerate slurs or jokes that are based on sexual orientation or gender expression. Stand firm to defend your youth in your home and in the community. 
• Display your Pride with pride! Use LGBTQ+ symbols that promote affirmation such as a rainbow or an ally flag. 
• Educate yourself about the history of Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community. Research current issues and resources for your youth. 
• Be a listener to the youth. Let them know you are there for them without judgement. 
• Use language that is gender neutral. Avoid asking “do you have a boyfriend?” Keep it simple and ask, “Are you dating anyone?”

Searching for more information on the LGBTQ+ community and how you can help? See below for more information: 
https://emmresourcecenter.org/system/files/2017-07/Be%20True%20Be%20You%20LGBTQ%20Booklet-DIGITAL.pdf
https://www.hrc.org/news/5-things-you-can-do-today-to-support-lgbtq-youthhttps://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/HRC-YouthFosterCare-IssueBrief-FINAL.pdf