ABSTRACT
The child welfare system's failure to acknowledge and address issues related to youth SOGIE has contributed to a number of challenges and disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. The lack of acknowledgement of LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system has proved to be one of the greatest barriers to creating a more inclusive and affirming system of care. Child welfare professionals must be aware of the dynamics that contribute to the disproportionate overrepresentation of LGBTQ youth in the system and recognize the likelihood that they will work with multiple LGBTQ youth over time. Well-intended child welfare professionals and caretakers might feel that it is in an LGBTQ youth's best interest to remain in the closet and not share critical information related to their sexual orientation, gender, identity, or expression. Child welfare professionals should be careful to not make assumptions about a youth's sexual orientation or gender identity.
