As National Foster Care Month comes to a close, we must reaffirm our commitment to advocating for LGBTQ young people who are among the more than 430,000 children and youth in care.

Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

As National Foster Care Month comes to a close, we must reaffirm our commitment to advocating for LGBTQ young people who are among the more than 430,000 children and youth in care. This month, anti-equality lawmakers passed dangerous, discriminatory legislation targeting prospective LGBTQ foster and adoptive parents in Oklahoma and Kansas.

These attacks are especially cruel, given that research consistently shows that LGBTQ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system. Many of these young people enter foster care after experiencing family rejection because of their LGBTQ status and they continue to be vulnerable to discrimination and mistreatment while in care. These discriminatory bills only exacerbate the challenges they face. Further, restricting the pool of prospective parents makes it more difficult for all children to find their forever families.

Throughout May, HRC has shared stories and resources across our platforms to raise awareness of issues surrounding foster parenting and the urgent need to support LGBTQ youth in foster care.

Here are the 10 inclusivity benchmarks that @HRC uses to determine whether #foster agencies are #LGBTQ-inclusive. ��☑️ https://t.co/Ufbu8hpwyf
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 23, 2018

After several foster family placements, @HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador Weston Charles-Gallo found his forever home with two dads and six siblings. #NFCM2018 pic.twitter.com/lgEakvnkUw
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 14, 2018

In partnership with FosterClub, HRC Foundation’s All Children - All Families project launched its #FosterEquality campaign this month to share stories from eight young LGBTQ leaders who have experienced foster care.

This National Foster Care Month, meet Courtney, Eric and Weston -- three young LGBTQ leaders working to advocate for other youth with experiences in foster care. #FosterEquality #NFCM18 https://t.co/uAybZApXFK
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 19, 2018

This National Foster Care Month, meet these five young LGBTQ leaders working to advocate for other youth with experiences in foster care. #FosterEquality #NFCM18 https://t.co/ovs28IutD7
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 24, 2018

These incredible young leaders are working every day to make a difference in the lives of other young people across the U.S. Their experiences underscore the importance of learning from and advocating for LGBTQ youth in care who all too often struggle with understanding their identities without the support of an affirming adult.

HRC advocates for foster youth all year round through our All Children - All Families project that helps agencies improve their services for LGBTQ youth in foster care.

Learn more about All Children–All Families’ work to promote LGBTQ cultural competency in adoption and foster care at hrc.org/acaf. Want to stay up-to-date on All Children - All Families resources and activities? Subscribe to “Field Forward,” the program’s monthly e-newsletter at hrc.im/field-forward.