LGBTQ youth of color are disproportionately impacted by child welfare agencies, yet their voices are often silenced and minimized. The Ruth Ellis Center and participants will explore the experiences of LGBTQ youth of color within Wayne County Michigan’s Child Protective Services. We will discuss the results of a youth-led participatory action research project and a short video. REC youth and staff will provide participants with examples and best practices on how to center youth voices and experiences through research and advocacy.
Tom Molina-Duarte is the youth advocacy & leadership coordinator at the Ruth Ellis Center, a LGBTQ Youth Services Agency based in Highland Park, Detroit. He coordinates the Out in the System Project at the Ruth Ellis Center.
