Unfair Criminalization of LGBT Youth

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, youth continue to experience high rates of bullying and harassment in schools, hostile treatment by school administrators, and family and community rejection that leaves them vulnerable and at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. This event examined the unfair criminalization of LGBT youth—from harsh school sanctions that perpetuate a school-to-prison pipeline, to the bias and abuse they face within the juvenile justice system.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, or LGBT, youth continue to experience high rates of bullying and harassment in schools, hostile treatment by school administrators, and family and community rejection that leaves them vulnerable and at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. This event examined the unfair criminalization of LGBT youth—from harsh school sanctions that perpetuate a school-to-prison pipeline, to the bias and abuse they face within the juvenile justice system. Participants were briefed on the current research on LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system and school disciplinary issues, and engaged in a dialogue around policy solutions to address them. Aisha Moodie-Mills, the moderator of the event and an LGBT Policy and Racial Justice Advisor at the Center for American Progress, presented the research on behalf of NCCD’s Director of Research, Angela Irvine.