ABSTRACT
This study is the first of its kind to specifically address the rates of overrepresentation of LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system. It sought to answer two empirical questions: (1) What percent of foster youth are LGBTQ, and does value indicate disproportionality? and (2) Are LGBTQ youth experiencing disparities in risks to permanency and well-being? In order to accurately assess whether there is any empirical evidence of disproportionality, the researchers compared the rate of LGBTQ youth in the general population to the rate of LGBTQ youth in a foster care sample. In addition to assessing the rate of disproportionality, this study also sought to examine whether LGBTQ youth experienced any disparities in factors associated with permanency and well-being. The rigorous design of this study provides child welfare professionals and researchers a much better idea about just how big a risk factor Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression are when it comes to the victimization experiences of LGBTQ youth.
