Youth in state custody, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have federal and state constitutional and statutory rights. These rights guarantee a young person safety in their placement as well as freedom from the deprivation of other liberty interests. Knowledge of a youth’s legal rights can help providers avoid legal liability and create a safer and healthier environment for LGBTQ youth. A version of this article appears in Child Welfare (Volume 85, Issue 2), a journal published by the Child Welfare League of America.

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