There are approximately 400,000 youth in foster care in the United
States. A disproportionate number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and questioning (LGBTQ) children end up in the system, though an exact
count is unknown.
This month on IN THE LIFE, seven LGBTQ youth from the foster care
system share their stories. Failed by their families, these young people
go on to face rejection from foster families, invisibility within the
system and incredible obstacles to healthy development.