“The Every Child Deserves a Family Act would enact critically important protections for LGBTQ youth and families,” said David Stacy, HRC’s Government Affairs Director. “Congressman John Lewis has been a longtime champion for LGBTQ equality and we are grateful for his leadership on this legislation and his work advocating for other pro-equality measures like the Equality Act.”

There are more than 440,000 children in the foster care system, with over 120,000 of them waiting for a permanent family.  More than 20,000 youth “age out” of care each year without any family and with limited support and resources. Among other things, the Every Child Deserves a Family Act would ban conversion therapy for children receiving or participating in federally funded child welfare programs or services and require federally funded child welfare services and staff training to be affirming of foster children’s complex social identities, including their race, color, national origin, ability, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, as currently required for runaway and homeless youth.

The Human Rights Campaign will continue to fight alongside coalition partners in ensuring all children have the dignity, safety, and respect, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

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