- LGBTQ+
Center for American Progress (CAP): “Welcoming All Families”
This is a report that talks about discrimination against LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents. It explains that religious exemptions allow agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ parents and how that reduces the families available to adopt, overburdens the child welfare system, and hurts the best interests of children. .
- LGBTQ+
Movement Advancement Project (MAP): “Child Welfare Nondiscrimination Laws”
This is a map of child welfare nondiscrimination laws in the United States. You can click on it by state and it will provide quick facts as well as laws and policies. These policies concern foster care, adoption, second and stepparents, and LGBTQ youth in child welfare. This can be used for anyone in the United States who are looking to foster or adopt and is curious to know about the laws of certain states.
- LGBTQ+
National Library of Medicine: “Achieving permanency for LGBTQ youth”
This is an article that talks about achieving permanence for youth in out-of-home care and meeting the needs of LGBTQ youth. It offers models of permanence and practices to facilitate permanence with LGBTQ youth and their families. It also provides resources for those who cannot return home as well as cultural issues that affect permanency. This is a great article for those raising LGBTQ youth.
- LGBTQ+
APA PsycNet: “Basic premises, guiding principles and competent practices for a positive youth development approach to working with gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths in out-of-home care”
This article explores a youth development perspective for working with LGBTQ youths in out-of-home care. The article discusses 5 core premises defining the practices to promote youth development. A model is also offered for creating an environment where LGBTQ individuals can meet their personal and social needs and develop competencies.
- LGBTQ+
Talkspace: “The History of the LGBTQ Community and Mental Health Treatment”
From TalkSpace.com, this source will most apply to and benefit those who are seeking information about the history of the LGBTQ community and mental health treatment. The article goes over an abbreviated history, how the LGBTQ identity came to be designated as a mental illness, conversion therapy history, ongoing conversations about gender, and current issues.
- LGBTQ+
HRC: “How HIV Impacts LGBTQ People”
From the Human Rights Campaign, this source will most apply to and benefit those who seek to understand how HIV impacts LGBTQ People. The article gives an overview of what HIV is, how discrimination against LGBTQ ties in to HIV, how it is funded, and the work HRC is doing to move forward with current issues.
- LGBTQ+
Creating a Family: “Tips for Raising an LGBTQ Foster or Adopted Child”
This website provides ten tips on raising LGBTQ foster or adopted kids, such as using your child’s preferred pronouns, using gender-neutral language, and letting them know you are willing to listen and talk about anything. This is a great resource for adoptive or foster parents of LGBTQ children.
- LGBTQ+
PA Parent an Family Alliance
The PA Parent and Family Alliance LGBTQ+ Tip Sheet is a great resource that can most apply to and benefit parents who have a LGBTQ+ child. The guide goes over tips on what to do immediately following your child coming out, how to use terminology, and some reputable resources to continue your research.
- LGBTQ+
healthychildren.org: “Coming Out: Information for Parents of LGBTQ Teens”
From Healthy Children. Org, this article will most apply to and benefit parents who have LGBTQ+ teens. The article gives explanations and tips to common questions. It also gives recommendations on what parents and families can do, along with more resources that are linked.
- LGBTQ+
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): “Ensuring Comprehensive Care and Support for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Children and Adolescents”
From the American Academy of Pediatrics, this source will most apply to and benefit pediatric providers or those who are interested in how pediatric providers are changing their approach to their LGBTQ+ patients. This academic article reviews “relevant concepts and challenges and provide suggestions for pediatric providers that are focused on promoting the health and positive development of youth that identify as TGD while eliminating discrimination and stigma.”
- LGBTQ+
Planned Parenthood: “What should I teach my high school-aged teen about identity?”
From Planned Parenthood, this source will most apply to and benefit the parents who want to teach their teenage children about identity. The source gives detailed explanations surrounding questions based on sexuality, safety, relationships, and more. Tips and additional resources are also included.
- LGBTQ+
Rise Magazine: “Resources for LGBTQ Parents and Parents of LGBTQ Children and Youth”
From Rise Magazine, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who are either LGBTQ+ or have LGBTQ+ children. The article explains the importance of acceptance and provides a list of resources
- LGBTQ+
Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Tips for Parents of LGBTQ Youth”
From John Hopkins, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article, Johns Hopkins pediatrics and adolescent medicine specialists share tips on how to provide support to LGBTQ+ children. The article also provides additional resources.
- LGBTQ+
The Trevor Project: “Behaviors of Supportive Parents and Caregivers for LGBTQ Youth”
From the Trevor Project, this article will most apply to and benefit the parents who have LGBTQ+ children. In the article it explores the behaviors of supportive parents and caregivers for LGBTQ youth and explains that supportive behaviors are associated with lower suicide risk among LGBTQ kids.
- LGBTQ+
Talkspace: “6 Ways to Support the Mental Health of Your LGBTQ Loved Ones”
From TalkSpace.com, this source will most apply to and benefit those who are seeking how to support the mental health of LGBTQ+ loved ones. The article goes over 6 important tips and gives detailed explanations. The source also gives additional resources
- LGBTQ+
APA: “Understanding transgender people, gender identity and gender expression”
From the American Psychological Association, this article can apply to and benefit those who would like to educate themselves about the transgender identity. The pamphlet is available in several languages. It covers common questions, recommended readings, and related resources.
- LGBTQ+
University of Michigan Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities: “All About Gender”
From Henry Ford, this guide can apply to and most benefit parents who have transgender, questioning, gender expansive, gender nonconforming, or non-binary kids. The guide explains terms, answers common questions, addresses transitioning, and gives additional resources
- LGBTQ+
CNN Health: “It’s Pride Month. Here’s what you need to know”
From CNN, this article can apply to and most benefit those who do not know much about Pride and why it is celebrated. The article gives an overview of who celebrates it, how it began, where the name came from, the origin of the flag, and answers the question if non-LGBTQ people can participate.
- LGBTQ+
People: “Everything You Need to Know About Pride Month”
From People Magazine, this article applies to and most benefits those who do not know much about Pride and why it is celebrated. The article gives an overview of what is pride month, what it’s symbol, why it is celebrated in June, who were the major figures involved, and gives recommendations on some easy ways to celebrate.
- LGBTQ+
Pronouns.org
Pronouns.org’s mission can apply to and most benefit those who want to learn more about the importance of pronouns or how to use them correctly. The webpage answers common questions such as “How do I use personal pronouns?” or “ How do I use Gender Inclusive Language?” The webpage also offers additional links and videos.
- Community Connection
Adoption Network: “How to Find Support Groups for Adoptive Parents”
This article explains the benefits of parent support groups for parents of adoptees. It includes a section on single parents as well as on couples, and provides a few starting links for those looking.
- Medical Needs
U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs: “Health Considerations”
An article by the U.S Department of State-Bureau of consular affairs. It establishes the difference between convention adoption requirements which normally have an Article 16 requirement, and non-convention requirements. It also establishes reasonable expectations for accredited adoption service providers and visa requirements for a medical examination.
- LGBTQ+
NCFA: “Resources for Being an LGBTQ-Friendly Agency”
Same-sex headed families are increasingly becoming a part of the adoption community, so this is a short resource list of resources for being an LGBTQ-friendly agency.
