June is Pride Month—a time to celebrate love, visibility, and the ongoing fight for equality within the LGBTQ+ community. While parades and public declarations of pride take center stage, it’s also a time to reflect on those who are often unseen—LGBTQ+ youth in the foster care system.
At Alpha Connection Youth & Family Services, we serve youth from every walk of life, including those navigating the complex intersections of identity, trauma, and displacement. For LGBTQ+ foster children, this journey can be especially isolating.
The Reality for LGBTQ+ Foster Youth
National studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in the foster care system, making up an estimated 30% of foster youth—a striking number considering they represent far fewer in the general population. Many of these youth enter care after facing rejection, abuse, or neglect at home simply because of who they are or how they identify.
Once in the system, LGBTQ+ youth may continue to experience discrimination, bullying, or a lack of understanding from caregivers or peers. They may be placed in homes where their identity is not affirmed, or worse, where it is dismissed altogether. This lack of emotional safety can lead to higher rates of depression, homelessness, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ+ foster youth.
What Pride Month Means for Foster Youth
Pride Month isn’t just about rainbows and celebrations—it’s about affirming the right of every individual to be seen, heard, and valued. For LGBTQ+ foster youth, Pride Month is a reminder that they are not alone, and that their identity is not a liability—it is something to be respected and celebrated.
At Alpha Connection, we believe in creating safe, inclusive, and affirming environments where youth can be their authentic selves. Our trauma-informed care approach is rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and the unwavering belief that every young person deserves a sense of belonging.
Our Commitment to LGBTQ+ Youth
We are committed to:
- Training our staff to understand the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, including the use of correct pronouns, respectful language, and culturally competent care
- Creating safe spaces within our residential homes where youth feel free to express themselves without fear
- Collaborating with LGBTQ+ organizations to connect our youth with mentors, role models, and affirming services
- Listening deeply to our youth and advocating for their rights, their safety, and their dignity
How You Can Help
This Pride Month, we encourage our community to move beyond celebration into action:
- Support inclusive policies in child welfare systems
- Volunteer or donate to programs that directly serve LGBTQ+ foster youth
- Educate yourself and others about the challenges these youth face
- Affirm and uplift the voices of young people who need to know they are loved and seen
A Message of Hope
To every LGBTQ+ youth in foster care: You are not alone. You are valued, you are powerful, and you are worthy of love and stability. Pride is more than a celebration—it is a declaration that you belong.
At Alpha Connection, we stand with you—this month and every month.
