A new report from “Safe Havens II” has revealed the critical need for more transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNGD) youth support within out-of-home systems like foster care, juvenile justice, and homelessness services thanks to recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policy changes.
A Follow-Up Report
The new report titled Safe Havens II: We Must Affirm and Support Transgender, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Youth in Out-of-Home Systems is a report that expands the original Safe Havens report focusing on the same topic.
Increasing Support
These reports center around the “Safe Havens II” need for increased support for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNGD) youth within out-of-home systems like foster care, juvenile justice, and homelessness services.
Challenges Faced by TNGD Youth
Children and young adults in out-of-home systems already face some of the most difficult life experiences a person can have in America, but these problems become even worse in TNGD youth.
Increasing Issues
TNGD youth stuck within these Out-of-Home services will also face discrimination, poorer health outcomes, and a serious lack of gender-affirming support.
46 Out of 50
The report revealed that 46 out of 50 states have no laws protecting homeless youth from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, leaving them almost no protection from further harm.
The System Harms
Because there are no such protective laws, the report states, “Youth and families do not get the support they need and experience harm from the system itself.”
Rising Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
The report also delves into the effect of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have been on the rise throughout the United States and often target trans and nonbinary youth.
Hundreds of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills
In 2024 alone, over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the United States, with 28 of those states enacting laws or policies that specifically target TNGD youth.
Failing the Community
Tyler, a youth contributor in the report, wrote, “The anti-LGBTQ legislation mentally affects me because my community isn’t being protected. Other trans people can’t get the support they need, and it makes me sad.”
Legal and Policy Gaps
The report identifies significant gaps in legal protections for TNGD youth, particularly in child welfare and juvenile justice systems. For instance, only two states acknowledge non-binary youth in their legal systems, and only four states require services that promote acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth by their families.
Breaking it Down
The report also breaks down and identifies specific gaps in the legal protections for TNGD youth within systems like child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Few States Helping
As an example, the report says that there are only two states that acknowledge non-binary youth within their legal system, and only four states require services that promote LGBTQ+ youth acceptance to their families.
Letting Kids Speak
Another aspect of this problem highlighted within the report is the importance of letting young people speak for themselves in order to be best understood.
Contributing to the Report
To exemplify this message, the report actually called on youth contributors to help write the report and give their first-hand experiences as TNGD youth within these government programs.
Let the Youth Have a Say
Emilio, one of the youth contributors, stated, “Let youth have a say in their care, in their lives, and in their existence — it is just such a vital part of what I would push for.”
The Role of Supportive Adults
The report also highlights the critical role of supportive adults and the massive impact they can have on the lives of TNGD youth trapped within these systems.
Exist Like Me
“The biggest thing that helped me was being around other people like me or around other people who understood what it was like to walk around like me, to exist like me,” said Emilio.
Improving Programs
However, the report doesn’t just list the issues within these agencies and the effects they have, as it also takes the time to provide recommendations for how these programs can improve.
Needing Clear Policies
Kayden, a youth contributor, suggests, “Agencies need clear policies so staff have step-by-step instructions to follow on how to support LGBTQ+ youth.”
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