Within the UK, growing numbers of LGBTQ people are becoming foster carers. We are a diverse fostering agency that welcomes all applicants with open arms. In our experience we have found that carers from the LGBTQ community possess all the right qualities to care for a young person. They understand being different in today’s society and being in care can feel the same. This means never giving up and always standing by the child. Each day is different but with passion, drive, support and encouragement, this is a career that lasts a lifetime and really makes a huge difference.
Not all LGBTQ+ children in care can be placed with LGBTQ+ carers, but every child – be they out already or finding themselves – need to live in a home where they feel safe to discuss gender identity and sexual orientation.
In 2010, The Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge conducted interviews for Stonewall with 82 children who have lesbian, gay or bisexual parents to find out more about their experiences both at home and at school. The study shows that:
Young children with gay parents tend not to see their families as being any difference to those of their peers.
Many of the older children said they saw their families as special and different, but only because all families are special and different – though some felt that their families were a lot closer than other people’s families.
Children with gay parents like having gay parents and would not want things to change, but sometimes they wish that other people were more accepting.
Myth: Children need a mum and a dad.
Fact: Children need a safe, stable, nurturing, supportive environment with love and care from parent/s or carers. It doesn’t matter whether a child is raised by a mum and a dad, a single parent, or two mums or two dads (indeed there is a wealth of studies on how a lack of gender stereotyping in same sex households benefits children – but that is a conversation for another time!).
Myth: I’m single and LGBTQ+ so I can’t foster.
Fact: Single foster carers are absolutely welcome whatever their sexual orientation or gender identity. We will explore the wider support network for anyone coming forward to foster to see who is there for you alongside our dedicated social worker we allocate to you, we provide excellent training and support to help you in your fostering journey.
These are just a few myths we hope we have squashed, if you are part of the LGBTQ community we would welcome further discussions, you never know it could change yours and a child s life forever.
