In Foster Care? A Group Home?  Getting DCF Services? 

You have the right to be treated with care and respect and to be affirmed for who you are.

This includes:

SAFETY & RESPECT
You have a right to be protected from discrimination, bullying, harassment, violence or threat of violence by staff or by other youth

SELF-IDENTIFICATION
You have a right to say who you are, and to have your identity – including your LGBTQ identity – respected.

NAMES & PRONOUNS
You have a right to be referred to by your expressed name and pronouns.

SAFE & AFFIRMING PLACEMENT
You have a right to placements – foster homes, group homes and residential settings – that are safe and affirming

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
You have a right to wear and possess clothing, accessories, hair styling, personal items, and other means of expression consistent with your identity.

FACILITIES
You have the right to use restrooms, changing facilities or other gender-differentiated facilities consistent with your gender identity.

RESOURCES
You have the right to access LGBTQ-affirming resources in your school and community, including social support groups, books and other materials.  Each area office has an LGBTQ liaison who can be a resource.

CULTURALLY COMPETENT CARE
You have a right to access and be provided culturally competent case management and medical and mental health care that are affirming of your identity.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, OR FEEL YOUR NEEDS ARE NOT BEING ADEQUATELY MET?

Contact GLAD Answers at 800-455-GLAD or visit www.GLADAnswers.org

Contact the Office of the Child Advocate at 617-979-8360, childadvocate@state.ma.us

If your provider needs resources for working with LGBTQ youth, they can visit www.glad.org/care for more information, or reach out to GLAD Answers at 800-455-GLAD.