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Federal Restrictions Block Grant to Protect LGBTQIA+ Youth in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY, October 1, 2025 – The Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc. (KYLP) announced today that its top-ranked proposal to the Children’s Justice Act (CJA) Task Force has been denied funding—not because of merit, but due to sweeping federal restrictions imposed by President Trump’s recent Executive Order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and “gender ideology” in federally funded programs.
     The proposal, Advancing Safety and Justice for Kentucky’s Most Vulnerable Youth, was the CJA Task Force’s highest-rated project this cycle. Task Force members expressed heartbreak in their letter of denial, stating that federal funding restrictions left them no choice but to reject the proposal.
     “This isn’t a case of limited funds or weak ideas,” said John B. Martin, Chair of KYLP’s Board of Directors. “The Task Force supported our project, but their hands were tied. The federal government is prioritizing political theater over the protection of vulnerable children. It’s shameful.”
     The project aimed to gather much-needed data on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth in Kentucky’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems and provide trauma-informed training to the professionals responsible for their care. Research consistently shows that LGBTQIA+ youth are overrepresented in state systems and face disproportionate rates of abuse, homelessness, and suicide.
     “This is a public health and human rights issue,” said Dr. Laura E. Kaplan, KYLP Board Member and the project’s Principal Investigator. “The denial of funding doesn’t negate the need. LGBTQIA+ youth in Kentucky are still suffering, and we are still determined to protect them—with or without federal support.”

A Call to Action
     In response, KYLP is launching its Protecting Kentucky’s Vulnerable Youth Campaign to secure private and corporate support for the same initiative.
     “We will not let this setback stall our work,” said Keith Elston, Legal Director of KYLP. “If our government won’t fund the safety of LGBTQIA+ youth, then we’ll ask our community to step up. These young people deserve care that is culturally competent, affirming, and just.”
     Community members are invited to share this announcement, amplify the issue, and contribute to KYLP’s campaign at our Protect Kentucky's Vulnerable Youth giving page. Your tax-deductible donations will fund vital research, training, and policy advocacy designed to fill a gaping hole in Kentucky’s current child welfare and juvenile systems.
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** The Benefits of Planned Giving to KYLP **

** KYLP to Launch a Rapid-Response Initiative to Protect Transgender Youth Medical Privacy **

** KYLP ISSUES EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES **

** Empowering Change: KYLP's Statewide Impact **

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Lawyers Helping LGBTQ+ Children & Youth 
​​Abogados que ayudan a los niños y jóvenes LGBTQ+
A nonprofit legal services corporation providing no-fee legal assistance and advocacy for Kentucky's LGBTQ+ Youth.
Una corporación de servicios legales sin ánimo de lucro que proporciona asistencia legal gratuita y defensa de los  jóvenes LGBTQ+ de Kentucky.
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Or, Text "DONATE" to 859-208-2821
to make your tax-deductible gift to the
​Kentucky Youth Law Project.

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su donación deducible de impuestos
​al Kentucky Youth Law Project.

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Attention Students!
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Resources for LGBTQ+ Students here.

​¡Atención estudiantes!
Consulte la Guía definitiva de recursos para estudiantes LGBTQ+ aquí.
Remember KYLP in ​your Estate Planning

​A Legacy Gift is a planned future gift that designates some part of your estate as a donation to a nonprofit organization.

​A legacy gift can create a powerful philanthropic legacy by making a direct impact on the causes that are important to you. Please consider making a legacy gift to KYLP in your estate plans. Questions? Contact us at our tollfree number, ​844-220-0226.
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   The mission of the Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc. is to enhance and protect the legal rights and entitlements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, gender fluid, and gender non-conforming ;(LGBTQ+) children and youth through free legal representation, education, training, and public policy advocacy. Because up to 40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ our goal is to reduce homelessness and promote equal treatment for LGBTQ+ youth in social welfare agencies, government services, the Courts, and public schools throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
      Founder and Legal Director Keith D. Elston serves on the Kentucky Bar Association's (KBA)  Committee on Child Protection and Domestic Violence and is Chair of the KBA LGBT Law Section. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and is a vetted member of the NLGBTQ+ Bar Association's Family Law Institute and the Transgender Law Institute. He has made numerous professional presentations to Kentucky lawyers, judges, social workers, and educators on LGBTQ+ youth issues, and has represented hundreds of  LGBTQ+ clients.
     Mr. Elston sees clients and potential clients by appointment only. If you are an LGBTQ+ youth age 25 and under, or are the parent or guardian of an LGBTQ+ youth, and you would like to consult with us regarding an issue related to your (or your child's) sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, please fill out and submit the contact request, above.
​​​Call us toll free: (844) 220-0226

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Post Office Box 21964, Lexington, Kentucky 40522-1964