2SLGBTQ+ Children in Canada’s Foster Care System
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According to recent studies, 32 to 34% of children and youth in welfare systems identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
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Additionally, they frequently face more rejection from their families than non-2SLGBTQ+ youth.
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- “Because of family rejection, transphobia and a lack of resources in their home communities, trans and non-binary youth are “disproportionately represented in the homeless population. More generally, some reports indicate that one in five transgender individuals need or are at risk of needing homeless shelter assistance.”
- A significant percentage of 2SLGBTQ+ youth in care experience higher rates of rejection from biological families, homelessness, and discrimination, making them more vulnerable to long-term stays in the system.
Many 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth also face challenges within the child welfare system. For example:
- difficulty finding a trusted person to be open with about their identity.
- lack of safe, welcoming placement options and permanent homes that affirm, and are inclusive of 2SLGBTQ+ identities.
- hostility, harassment, or violence from their peers in foster and group care settings that may go unchallenged by staff and caregivers.
- discipline for, and/or restriction of, age-appropriate behaviours that might be accepted between youth of different sexes and/or genders.
- child protection workers and caregivers who lack awareness and understanding of the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth and/or the resources available to support them.
- challenges developing lasting relationships or accessing appropriate services due to stigma and discrimination.
- lack of understanding by child welfare professionals of their roles in supporting families who may be struggling with their youth’s gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation.
- lack of specific inclusion policies and practices.
- not seeing themselves and other 2SLGBTQ+ identities represented among workers, caregivers, and leaders.
The Importance of Affirming Care for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth
Gender-affirming care, which aims to affirm a trans person's gender identity instead of changing it, is endorsed by medical associations in Canada, including the Canadian Psychological Association and the Canadian Paediatric Society.