LGBTQ+ affirming practices for family court professionals

• Published date: 01 July 2024
• Author: Rebecca M. Stahl
• Date: 01 July 2024
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12805

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

LGBTQ+affirming practices for family court

professionals

Rebecca M. Stahl

Somatic Experiencing International, Boulder, Colorado, USA

Correspondence

Rebecca M. Stahl, Somatic Experiencing

International, 1920 E Indian School Road Apt

1051, Phoenix, Arizona, 85016, USA.

Email: rmstahl@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper focuses on the current issues faced by LGBTQ+

clients in family court cases. The paper proceeds in three

parts. It first focuses on the specific issues that relate to

LGBTQ+people in the family court system and why they

remain relevant despite the many advancements for LGBTQ

+people in recent years. The paper addresses what is

unique about the legal system and how it can seem more

accepting than it is. Finally, the paper addresses specific

ways lawyers, judges, and forensic evaluators can support

LGBTQ+people in the family court system from the first

moment people enter their office or courtroom. Overall, the

goal of the article is to provide context for why it is impor-

tant for family court professionals to be LGBTQ+affirming

and to provide specific ways to do so.

KEYWORDS

affirming practice, evaluations, family law, legal representation,

LGBTQ+, trauma

Key Points for the Family Court Community

•LGBTQ+people historically and currently face outright

discrimination or misunderstanding about who they are

and how that impacts them in the family court system.

•Living and working in an area that feels more affirming is

not necessarily more protective for LGBTQ+people in

the family court system.

DOI: 10.1111/fcre.12805

© 2024 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

640 Family Court Rev. 2024;62:640–652.

wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fcre