Born this way and stuck in the middle: The queer child at the center of parental conflict1

Abstract

While there is significant extant literature on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual orientation and gender minority (LGBTQ+) parents and a large and growing body of research on the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth, there remains a dearth of empirical literature focused on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth facing parental conflict, separation, and divorce. This unfortunate trend is telling as to the perceived legitimacy of LGBTQ+ identities in children and adolescents and highlights critical gaps in need of amelioration. This paper reviews and applies interdisciplinary research on LGBTQ+ youth and families, addressing complex questions raised by two de-identified cases involving the navigation of co-parenting conflicts surrounding a bisexual adolescent and a transgender adolescent. The literature review highlights the heightened mental health risks LGBTQ+ youth experience due to minority stress and familial rejection. The wider sociopolitical and legal contexts affecting LGBTQ+ youth and their families, including the harmful effects of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, are also addressed. Family court professionals are advised to take a careful multi-perspective approach to cases involving LGBTQ+ youth and to engage in advocacy and educational efforts in their respective fields to foster inclusive and supportive psycholegal environments for LGBTQ+ families in the United States and worldwide.