The number of young people in the United States who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) has increased substantially in recent years. Although the topics addressed in healthy marriage and relationship education (HMRE) programs tend to be applicable to young people of any gender who are interested in both heterosexual and non-heterosexual relationships, few programs explicitly address these topics from the LGBTQ+ perspective.

Supported by the Department of Health and Human Services, and in partnership with Public Strategies, Mathematica explored how to make HMRE programs more inclusive for LGBTQ+ youth. The project team reviewed literature on relationship education and related programming for LGBTQ+ youth, led focus groups and interviews with HMRE program directors and staff, and interviewed HMRE program participants who self-identified as LGBTQ+.

Join us as we discuss common challenges HMRE programs face related to serving LGBTQ+ youth and promising strategies for making HMRE programs more inclusive for this population.

Objectives: Participants will learn:

• The common challenges HMRE programs for youth face related to serving LGBTQ+ populations.
• Promising practices and approaches for making HMRE programs more inclusive and equitable for LGBTQ+ youth.
• The gaps that remain in how to make HMRE programs more inclusive and equitable for LGBTQ+ youth.

Presenter(s):

• Julia Alamillo; Senior Researcher- Mathematica
• Lourdes Fernandez; Survey Researcher- Mathematica
• Lexi Ouellette; Research Analyst- Mathematica

Who should attend: HMRE grantees, healthy relationship facilitators, RHY, OPA, and FYSB grantees, community organizations working with LGBTQ+ youth, researchers who focus on LGBTQ+ youth, and all those who work with and care about LGBTQ+ youth.