Youth Initiative

In schools and community-based organizations, in state-run child welfare programs, in the foster care system and juvenile justice facilities, LGBTQ youth and the children of LGBT parents experience harassment and discrimination regularly.

GLAD is committed to ensuring that LGBTQ youth and the children of LGBT parents are safe, welcomed, and treated equally and with respect in every facet of life.

GLAD has done behind-the-scenes advocacy for LGBTQ youth for many years. With the LGBTQ Youth Initiative, we are broadening and deepening our work to generate systemic change that builds a just, inclusive, and affirming environment for all LGBTQ youth and the children of LGBT parents.

LITIGATION
We pursue “impact litigation” – lawsuits that set new precedents to establish and enforce protections for LGBTQ youth in a range of settings, including schools, community programs, the child welfare system, and the juvenile justice system.

INTERVENTION
Often helping LGTBQ youth means intervention, not a lawsuit. Our goal is to empower youth to advocate for themselves. We first assess whether we can coach the youth or family involved to resolve the discrimination on their own. But when necessary, a GLAD lawyer will intervene directly with a school or other agency on the youth’s behalf, providing the incentive the agency needs to act properly.

LEGISLATION
We work collaboratively with state agencies, statewide LGBT organizations, youth advocates, and other allies, to draft and promote legislation that is essential for ensuring full legal protections for LGBTQ youth and the children of LGBT parents throughout New England and beyond.

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY
We strive to effect policy change with public and private entities. Our work extends to many areas affecting youth, including anti-bullying efforts, safe and supportive policies in the foster care and juvenile justice systems, and positive learning environments in schools.

PUBLIC EDUCATION
Through GLAD’s Legal InfoLine, social media and other community outreach, and publications for schools and providers, we offer useful, user-friendly and up-to-date legal resources. We provide LGBTQ youth with information about their rights so that they can invoke the protection of the law when needed, and educate providers and the general public in order to ensure full and lasting protections for LGBTQ youth in all settings.