LGBTQ foster parents

In countries such as Australia, the UK, and the USA, growing numbers of LGBTQ people are becoming foster parents. This chapter summarizes what is known from the research evidence, primarily focusing on lesbian and gay foster parents given the dearth of research on bisexual, transgender, and queer foster parents. Key themes identified from the literature were (a) the silencing of sexuality, (b) the pathologizing of sexuality, (c) the expectation that LGBTQ foster parents demonstrate “appropriate” gender role models, (d) the resistance to placement matching of LGBTQ children in foster care, and (e) the expectation that LGBTQ foster parents educate child protection staff. The chapter concludes by considering gaps in the literature that require concerted attention and explores recommendations for best practice derived from the research.