Six months after Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly took office, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (KDCF) set forth “guidelines” encouraging foster families to allow children in the LGBTQ+ community to be recognized “by their preferred identity if it differs from their sex assigned at birth.”
The guidelines were in direct contrast to the eight previous years of the conservative Republican administration running the state who had publicly declared, “We believe God created two genders, male and female.” Former Republican Governor Sam Brownback supported some of the country’s most conservative laws regarding children who identify as LGBTQ+.
It’s important to note that child welfare agencies have a priority of placing children and families together only when they are well matched. For children who have been abused and neglected having a stable and positive environment is essential to a successful outcome. Placing a child in a home that conflicts with their gender identity is unacceptable.
For all foster care agencies, schools, and other groups who deal with children’s welfare, there are still challenges with the new awareness of gender identity, starting with the basics of sharing bathrooms and bedrooms. There isn’t one umbrella under which all situations can rest.
The good news is that people are now having a dialogue about a subject that was once taboo. Until the 1990’s “LGBTQ” wasn’t even part of our vocabulary. Today, more and more foster parents are actively seeking to support children in the LGBTQ community.
Well done to people, everywhere, who respect our differences, support every child and family member as individuals, and respect our rights. Education and communication are the keys to raising all kids in supportive, healthy environments.