A Cross-National Review of Policies and Practices Affecting LGBTQ+ Youth in Child Welfare

This chapter analyses how policies and practices in the U.S. and the Netherlands affect the lives of LGBTQ+ youth. We first present an overview of the situation of LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system (CWS), and the national and administrative policies and practices in both countries. Despite the gains of the last years in terms of LGBTQ+ rights, we face a current backlash of anti-LGBTQ+ laws and an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. These anti-LGBTQ+ movements impact the well-being of all LGBTQ+ youth, but especially that of LGBTQ+ youth in care. Care professionals responsible for youths’ well-being are also exposed and influenced by this anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, affecting their willingness to offer affirmative care. Secondly, we explore recent studies with LGBTQ+ youth in the CWS in the Netherlands that shed light on the ways to create safe and affirming care environments. Thirdly, based on a study with LGBTQ+ youth in the CWS in the U.S., we explore youth perceptions and recommendations to create a safe and affirming environment. The chapter ends with a number of recommendations for policymakers, care professionals and agencies to ensure that care environments offer appropriate care for LGBTQ+ youth.