Sticks and Stones Can Break Your Bones

Summary

Utilizing the narratives of 54 youths and 88 child welfare professionals, this article explores the experiences and lives of gay and lesbian youths in child welfare agencies in three cities—New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto—who have been subject to verbal harassment and physical violence within those systems. The author additionally explores the multiple layers of verbal harassment and violence in both the youths' families and in the foster care system, offering recommendations to social work practitioners interested in creating gay and lesbian affirming environments.

Key Words:

• Violence
• verbal harassment
• gay and lesbian youths
• child welfare settings