This panel will focus on the struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, specifically in the juvenile justice and foster care systems. LGBT youth are disproportionally involved in the juvenile justice system and face high risks of mistreatment and abuse while in prison. Transgender youth face particularly difficult issues, such as being assigned to sex-segregated facilities based on birth sex rather than gender identity. LGBT youth also enter the foster care system at a disproportionate rate and face similar risks of neglect, abuse, and discrimination. Few foster care facilities have anti-discrimination policies protecting sexual orientation and gender identity or offer training on such how to meet the unique needs of LGBT youth in the system. As a result of this lack of awareness, many LGBT youth run away from these facilities, facing homelessness, poverty, and increased marginalization. This panel will focus on the current issues faced by LGBT youth in the correctional system and foster care and discuss the ways that law and policy can be molded to better meet the needs of these vulnerable populations. Moderator: Nancy D. Polikoff, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law Panelists: Sarah Bergen, Staff Attorney, National Juvenile Defender Center Lisa Emmi, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Family Matters of Greater Washington Gary Bevel, Attorney, ABA Center for Children and the Law Brian Watson, Director of Programs, Transgender Health Empowerment