Advocacy for LGBTQ Youth

Noon – 5:00 pm (5 hours substantive)

The leading factor fueling over-representation is family rejection. System involved LGBTQ youth have unique experiences and needs. Once system involved, LGBTQ youth often face harassment, discrimination, and violence from the very systems that are supposed to protect them. Juvenile defenders and child advocates play a vital role in ensuring that their LGBTQ-identified clients are safe, treated fairly and respectfully, and receive appropriate and affirming services. By learning about sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression-related concepts and terminology; challenges facing LGBTQ youth in care, and ways to provide informed, affirming, and supportive representation, advocates can play a significant role in improving outcome for their LGBTQ clients.

Contact Jennifer Lutz, Esq
Juvenile Justice Policy Attorney
Defender Association of Philadelphia
1441 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA  19102
267.765.6948 (phone)
267.765.6977 (fax)