LGBTQ flag

Children and young people, including those who are LGBTQIA2S+, can only succeed when they have a chance to grow up feeling safe and supported at home and in their communities.

During Pride month and throughout the year, all children and young people deserve to feel safe and supported to express themselves and be who they want to be. When we do this, we give them the support and safety they need to learn and grow and help our community thrive.

Research shows that support and affirmation of LGBTQIA2S+ youth at home and in their communities improves their health and well-being and reduces the risk of suicide and trauma. Major medical associations support gender-affirming care as safe, medically necessary and life-saving for transgender, non-binary or gender-fluid youth.

The pain LGBTQIA2S+ youth are experiencing is preventable. It is our responsibility as a community to come together to care for, support, affirm and celebrate them.

More than 20 years of research tells us that discrimination at home, at school and in our communities is hurting all LGBTQIA2S+ youth, especially those who are transgender, non-binary or gender-fluid. In the past year in the United States:

• Nearly one in three of all LGBTQIA2S+ youth said that anti-LGBTQIA2S+ policies and legislation hurt their mental health all or most of the time.

• 60% of all LGBTQIA2S+ youth and 64% of transgender, non-binary or gender-fluid children reported that they were discriminated against.

• 41% of all LGBTQIA2S+ youth and one in two transgender, non-binary or gender-fluid youth seriously considered attempting suicide.

• 14% of all LGBTQIA2S+ youth and one in five transgender, non-binary or gender-fluid children and young people attempted suicide.

All children and young people in Oregon deserve to be heard, and the stories and experiences of those who are LGBTQIA2S+ should never be ignored. When LGBTQIA2S+ youth feel cared for, supported and affirmed at home, they are 33% less likely to attempt suicide.

Nationally, up to one in three youth in foster care identify as LGBTQIA2S+, this is why the department collaborates with Unicorn Solutions and Basic Rights Oregon to recruit families interested in specifically supporting and caring for LGBTQIA2S+ youth who are experiencing foster care.

And, because LGBTQIA2S+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender and heterosexual peers, the Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program requires all community-based programs it works with to have the training and resources needed to support them.

The Oregon Department of Human Services stands in solidarity with and in support of all LGBTQIA2S+ children, young people and families in Oregon. They need all our support during Pride month and throughout the year. Together, we can save lives and prevent trauma.