'Targeted for Family Violence Due to Sexuality'

State enters lesbian, gay film festival

"We are … GLBTQ," a documentary produced by two state agencies about gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth involved in child welfare, will be screened during the 2007 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.

The video has been entered in the juried, locally produced, short film category and will be screened Oct. 14.

Co-produced by Washington state's Department of Social and Health Services Children's Administration and Department of Information Services, the 28-minute film focuses on the lives of gay, lesbian and transgender youths in the state child welfare system.

It is being used by DSHS to train foster parents and kinship caregivers.

According to a national report by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, these youths come into contact with Child Protective Services more frequently than their peers because often they are targeted for family violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identities.

Foster caregivers gather for seminar

This year marks the 25th Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver's Conference, which will be at Ocean Shores Convention Center in Grays Harbor from Sunday through Sept. 25.

One of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world, according to the state, the Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver's Conference features 600 foster and adoptive parent attendees, keynote speakers, 48 educational and inspiring workshops, a town hall meeting with Children's Administration Assistant Secretary Cheryl Stephani, and other fun and informational activities.

The Children's Administration partners with 20 nonprofit, tribal, faith-based, educational, private and state organizations and agencies to present the much anticipated three-day event.