LGBTQ Foster Care Alumni Research Study

As much as 20% of youth in the foster care system in Los Angeles County identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or queer) and the majority are youth of color. Many of them experience extreme discrimination, violence and oppression related to their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression before, during and after care. In addition, they are more than twice as likely to live in a group home, have a higher average number of home placements, are twice as likely to report being treated poorly by the foster care system, and experience multiple barriers when they are age-out of the system (Wilson, Cooper, Kastanis, & Nezhad, 2014). The purpose of this story-based, community inspired photography project is to capture the visual stories and lived experiences of LGBTQ youth in the foster care system in LA County. Through story-telling and photography, thirty LGBTQ foster care alumni, between the ages of 18-26 years old will have the opportunity to share stories about their lives before, during and after care. The resulting photo-essays created by LGBTQ foster-care youth will be featured in a series of community-based art exhibits and a basic website will archive these untold stories. The photography exhibits and opening receptions will provide the public space for audience engagement and dialogue about the project. The web-based representation of the project will serve to disseminate these photo-essays to a wider audience. Our goal is enhance public understanding and heightening consciousness of the experiences of LGBTQ foster-care youth in Los Angeles County while illuminating the visual voices of this marginalized community.