Strategies to Promote LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Youth-Serving Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Programs

This brief highlights strategies HMRE programs can use to improve their inclusivity for LGBTQ+ youth in the areas of (1) recruitment, outreach, and initial engagement; (2) program content and delivery; and (3) staff hiring and training. It also describes the potential benefit of partnering with trusted members of the LGBTQ+ community to implement the strategies successfully. The evidence supporting these strategies is described in more detail in a white paper about the challenges HMRE programs face related to LGBTQ+ inclusivity and promising approaches for overcoming these challenges (Alamillo et al. 2023).

Recruitment, outreach, and initial engagement

To signal that they are LGBTQ+-friendly and can meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ population, youth programs should:

• Make sure youth’s first impression of the program is one of LGBTQ+ inclusivity by featuring inclusive imagery and language on all outreach and initial program materials.
• Recruit in settings that are welcoming to and frequented by LGBTQ+ youth such as community centers, advocacy organizations, and health care facilities, and at LGBTQ+ community events or LGBTQ+-friendly businesses.

Program content and delivery

To help ensure that programs’ content and approach to service delivery addresses the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ youth, programs should:

• Enhance program materials with inclusive language, images, and examples that feature diverse LGBTQ+ youth and do not rely on stereotypical gender roles.
• Work with curriculum developers to address topics relevant to LGBTQ+ people and relationships. Programs should also make sure to focus on the unique strengths and resiliencies of LGBTQ+ youth and their relationships, rather than only on the risks and challenges LGBTQ+ youth face.
• Consider using alternative delivery formats to deliver LGBTQ+-inclusive programming, particularly in school districts or states that prohibit the discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in schools. In such contexts, programs can consider delivering inclusive services outside of the school setting or virtually.

Staff hiring and training

To support program educators and leaders in their efforts to create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ participants, programs should:

• Hire staff who are LGBTQ+ or who have lived experience as an ally or advocate and are able to share relationship and other personal experiences that resonate with LGBTQ+ youth.
• Foster an inclusive and accepting organizational culture by modifying policies and procedures to make it explicit that staff are required to be respectful and inclusive.
• Provide staff with training on how to serve LGBTQ+ youth. Such training should be delivered by people or organizations with expertise in working with the LGBTQ+ community.

Inclusive programming has the potential to enhance services for youth of all genders and sexual orientations as they think about their own identity development, friendships, family relationships, and romantic partnerships. This brief offers concrete tips that youth-serving HMRE programs can use to reach more LGBTQ+ youth in their communities and better address the needs and relationship issues faced by the LGBTQ+ youth they serve.

To identify the strategies presented in this brief, Mathematica reviewed the literature on relationship education and inclusive programming for LGBTQ+ youth, conducted focus groups with HMRE program directors and program practitioners, and led one-on-one interviews with HMRE educators and participants.

Aharpour, D., Ouellette, L., Alamillo, J., and Friend, D. “Strategies to Promote LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Youth-Serving Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education Programs.” OPRE Report #2023-286. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.