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Abstract:
This annotated bibliography is published at 19 Yale Journal of Law and Feminism 449 (2008). It is a comprehensive collection of law review articles, and selected other materials, relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning youth. These "queer kids" - minors between the ages of ten and twenty who are perceived as being gender or sexuality nonconforming - are the most endangered and underserved adolescent population in the United States. They face danger in their homes, schools, and the juvenile justice system. Their ability to protect themselves is compromised by discrimination and by their status as minors. Intended as a resource for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners, this bibliography collects, discusses, and organizes legal scholarship, selected reports and studies, and influential personal narratives from queer kids.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Non-conforming, Queer, Youth, Children, Minors, Bibliography

Abstract:
This Article argues that attorneys representing queer children-those children who either self identify or are perceived by others as being a sexual minority or who do not conform to normative gender roles-must provide traditional zealous advocacy to their queer child clients. The heterosexism that pervades our culture infects our families, schools, courts, and child welfare systems, often with disastrous results for queer kids. Unfortunately, these biases also afflict attorneys who represent this population, tainting their ability to represent their clients in a conscientious, ethical, and effective manner. Given the extreme danger queer children face when they are entangled in the legal system, it is important to ensure that the attorneys representing them do not exacerbate the risks they face. The necessity for traditional advocacy is not dependent on the age of the child, the type of proceeding, or the sensibilities of the individual lawyer. Any advocacy model allowing an attorney to substitute his or her own judgment as to what is in a queer child's best interest is potentially devastating for queer child clients and must not continue. This Article concludes with a model rule, which would prohibit all but traditional representation for queer children.

law guardian, children's attorney, queer, gay and lesbian, ethics, advocacy, children, juvenile rights