Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth and the Legal System

Transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) youth face many legal challenges, including rejection by their families and adverse treatment in child custody proceedings, discrimination and harassment in schools, and abuse and denial of appropriate housing and medical care in foster care and juvenile justice placements. This entry summarizes existing legal protections for these youth in child custody proceedings, schools, and state care.

Child Custody

Researchers and medical professionals are increasingly recognizing that acceptance and support are critical to the long-term health and well-being of TGNC children and youth. In particular, the groundbreaking research conducted by Dr. Caitlyn Ryan and her colleagues through the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University has shown that youth who are rejected by their families because of their sexual orientation or gender expression ...

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