In 2015, Florida's Department of Children and Families (DCF) included language in their rules meant to protect LGBT youth. Now, they have removed these protections following pressure from far-right groups and Governor Rick Scott's office.
The original rules, with protections, were meant to prevent discrimination against LGBT youth, ban the use of ineffective and harmful "conversion therapy" that intends to change a child's sexual or gender orientation, and allow grooming supplies and clothing to help transgender and gender non-conforming youth dress comfortably.
Robert Latham, supervising attorney at the Miami School of Law's Children & Youth Law Clinic and statewide chair of the LGBTQ Child Welfare Work Group, worked with Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and local LGBTQ child welfare workgroups to draft the protections. Now, their work has been deleted and LGBT children are being left vulnerable to abuse because of political pressure.
Tell DCF not to let political interests bully them into letting vulnerable children be harassed and abused! Urge DCF to reinstate protective language in their rules.
I am shocked that you have decided to remove language in your rules meant to protect LGBT youth in group homes and foster care.
The original rules, with protections, were important in preventing discrimination against LGBT youth, banning the use of ineffective and harmful "conversion therapy" that intends to change a child's sexual or gender orientation, and allowing grooming supplies and clothing to help transgender and gender non-conforming youth dress comfortably.
Robert Latham, supervising attorney at the Miami School of Law's Children & Youth Law Clinic and statewide chair of the LGBTQ Child Welfare Work Group, worked with Lambda Legal, the American Civil Liberties Union, and local LGBTQ child welfare workgroups to draft the protections. Now, their work has been deleted and LGBT children are being left vulnerable to abuse because of political pressure.
Please don't let political interests bully you into letting vulnerable children be harassed and abused! I respectfully urge you to reinstate protective language in your rules. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this petition.
