Infancia y juventud LGTBIQ+ en acogimiento residencial: identidades, dinámicas familiares, relaciones con profesionales y clima residencial

Mónica López López; Luis Armando Parra; José Ángel Rodríguez Martínez

doi:10.14198/areas.33393

Autores/as

Mónica López López University of Groningen, Países Bajos https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9419-578X
Luis Armando Parra University of California, Davis, Estados Unidos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8681-5240
José Ángel Rodríguez Martínez Gobierno de Cantabria, España https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5645-7833

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14198/areas.33393

Palabras clave:

juventud LGTBIQ+, orientación sexual e identidad y expresión de género (OSIEG), sistemas de protección, cuidados alternativos, acogimiento residencial, familia, profesionales, Cantabria, España

Resumen

La juventud LGTBIQ+ en acogimiento residencial constituye un grupo de especial vulnerabilidad dentro del sistema de protección infantil, cuyas experiencias permanecen escasamente documentadas. El presente estudio exploró las experiencias de la juventud LGTBIQ+ en hogares residenciales de protección infantil en Cantabria, España, con especial atención a sus identidades y procesos de revelación, las dinámicas familiares asociadas a la salida del armario, las relaciones con el equipo profesional y el clima residencial de los hogares en los que residen. Siguiendo un enfoque de investigación cualitativa participativa, se realizaron 15 entrevistas narrativas semiestructuradas con juventud de entre 14 y 21 años que residía o había egresado recientemente de la red de acogimiento residencial de Cantabria. Los datos fueron analizados mediante análisis temático reflexivo. Los resultados se organizan en torno a cuatro temas principales: identidades y procesos de revelación, reacciones familiares, clima residencial y relaciones con profesionales. Los resultados muestran que los procesos de desarrollo de la orientación sexual e identidad y expresión de género (OSIEG) son no lineales y están fuertemente condicionados por el contexto. Las reacciones familiares abarcaron un amplio espectro, desde la afirmación hasta el rechazo explícito, pasando por formas de aceptación condicional y silencio. Los hogares residenciales mostraron una marcada heterogeneidad, oscilando entre entornos afirmativos y entornos hostiles caracterizados por la LGTBIfobia institucional y las microagresiones. Los resultados de este estudio enfatizan la necesidad urgente de institucionalizar la formación en atención afirmativa LGTBIQ+ en el sistema de protección infantil y desarrollar protocolos antidiscriminación.

Financiación

Esta investigación ha sido financiada por la Dirección General de Políticas Sociales del Gobierno de Cantabria (España) y por el fondo NextGenerationEU de la Comisión Europea. Asimismo, se reconoce la contribución del proyecto K-Reporters, financiado en el marco de Horizon Europe a través del programa Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

Citas

Abreu, R. L., & Kenny, M. (2018). Cyberbullying and LGBTQ youth: A systematic literature review and recommendations for prevention and intervention. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 11(1), 81-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-017-0175-7

Abreu, R. L., Gonzalez, K. A., Rosario, C., Pulice-Farrow, L., & Rodríguez, M. M. D. (2020). "Latinos have a stronger attachment to the family": Latinx fathers' acceptance of their sexual minority children. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 16(2), 192-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/1550428X.2019.1672232

Baams, L., & Kaufman, T. M. L. (2023). Sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in adolescent research: Two decades in review. The Journal of Sex Research, 60(7), 1004-1019. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2023.2219245

Baams, L., Wilson, B. D. M., & Russell, S. T. (2019). LGBTQ youth in unstable housing and foster care. Pediatrics, 143(3), e20174211. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-4211

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Toward good practice in thematic analysis: Avoiding common problems and be(com)ing a knowing researcher. International Journal of Transgender Health, 24(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2022.2129597

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2023). Is thematic analysis used well in health psychology? A critical review of published research, with recommendations for quality practice and reporting. Health Psychology Review, 17, 695-718. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2022.2161594

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674028845

Capous-Desyllas, M., & Mountz, S. (2019). Using photovoice methodology to illuminate the experiences of LGBTQ former foster youth. Child and Youth Services, 40(3), 267-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2019.1583099

Carrera-Fernández, M. V., Fernández-Simo, D., & Blanco-Pardo, N. (2025). Perceptions and responses of adolescents and youth in the Spanish protection system to bullying and gender-based bullying situations, and their relationship with the training received. Adolescents, 5(4), 53. https://doi.org/10.3390/adolescents5040053

Comisión Europea. (2020). LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020-2025. Publicaciones de la Unión Europea. https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2020-11/lgbtiq_strategy_2020-2025_en.pdf

Craig, S. L., Pham, V., Hui, J., & Brooks, A. S. (2026). Taking responsibility and creative workarounds: LGBTQ+ affirmative practice in child welfare. Children and Youth Services Review, 188, 109135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.109135

Crocetti, E. (2017). Identity formation in adolescence: The dynamic of forming and consolidating identity commitments. Child Development Perspectives, 11(2), 145-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12226

Dahl, R. E., & Gunnar, M. R. (2009). Heightened stress responsiveness and emotional reactivity during pubertal maturation: Implications for psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 21(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579409000017

Desai, S. R. (2019). Youth participatory action research: The nuts and bolts as well as the roses and thorns. In P. L. Thomas (Ed.), Research methods for social justice and equity in education (pp. 125-135). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05900-2_11

Diamond, L. M. (2020). Gender fluidity and nonbinary gender identities among children and adolescents. Child Development Perspectives, 14(2), 110-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12366

Doyle, D. M. (2022). Transgender identity: Development, management and affirmation. Current Opinion in Psychology, 48, Article 101467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101467

Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. W. W. Norton & Company.

European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights [FRA]. (2024). LGBTIQ equality at a crossroads: Progress and challenges. Publications Office of the European Union.

Federación Estatal LGTBI+. (2024). Estado LGTBI+ 2024: Educación. FELGTBI+.

Feinstein, B. A. (2020). The rejection sensitivity model as a framework for understanding sexual minority mental health. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(7), 2247-2258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-1428-3

Fish, J. N., Baams, L., Wojciak, A. S., & Russell, S. T. (2019). Are sexual minority youth overrepresented in foster care, child welfare, and out-of-home placement? Findings from nationally representative data. Child Abuse & Neglect, 89, 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.01.005

Fish, J. N., Paceley, M. S., Evans, S., McGeough, B., DeFiori, S., Offenbacher, N., Cross, C., Henderson, S. B., & Levine, D. S. (2025). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youths' disclosure of their sexual orientation and gender identity across contexts: Processes, decision making, and related experiences. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000841

Floyd, F. J., & Stein, T. S. (2002). Sexual orientation identity formation among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: Multiple patterns of milestone experiences. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 12(2), 167-191. https://doi.org/10.1111/1532-7795.00030

Gallardo Lastra, G., Garcia-Meneses, J., García Gutiérrez, E., González Álvarez, R., Herrero Eguino, D., Howard, E., Jackson, E., López López, M., Mallon, G., Martínez-Jothar, G., Muñoz Lopes, Y., O'Brien, R. P., Orwa, S., Parra, L. A., Castro Siqueira, G., Sturing-Bakker, M., ten Brummelaar, M., Torsius, S., van Mierlo Amezcua, K., … Yáñez Cancino, A. (2025). Queer and in care: Journeys through care being young and LGBTQIA+. University of Groningen Press. https://doi.org/10.21827/6788facedb2f7

Gallegos, A., Roller White, C., Ryan, C., O'Brien, K., Pecora, P. J., & Thomas, P. (2011). Exploring the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning adolescents in foster care. Journal of LGBT Youth, 8(4), 318-337. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2011.571547

González-Álvarez, R., ten Brummelaar, M., Orwa, S., & López López, M. (2021). "I actually know that things will get better": The many pathways to resilience of LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care. Children & Society, 36(2), 234-248. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12464

González-Álvarez, R., Parra, L. A., ten Brummelaar, M., Avraamidou, L., & López López, M. (2022a). Resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care: A scoping review. Child Abuse & Neglect, 129, Article 105660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105660

González-Álvarez, R., Hofman, S., ten Brummelaar, M., & López López, M. (2022b). Care professionals' perspectives and roles on resilience among LGBTQIA+ youth in out-of-home care: A multidimensional perspective. Children and Youth Services Review, 150, Article 107012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107012

Haas, A. P., Eliason, M., Mays, V. M., Mathy, R. M., Cochran, S. D., D'Augelli, A. R., Silverman, M. M., Fisher, P. W., Hughes, T., & Rosario, M. (2010). Suicide and suicide risk in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: Review and recommendations. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(1), 10-51. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2011.534038

Hall, W. J., Dawes, H. C., & Plocek, N. (2021). Sexual orientation identity development milestones among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 753954. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753954

Hammack, P. L., Hughes, S. D., Atwood, J. M., Cohen, E. M., & Clark, R. C. (2022). Gender and sexual identity in adolescence: A mixed-methods study of labeling in diverse community settings. Journal of Adolescent Research, 37(2), 167-220. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211000315

Hatchel, T., Torgal, C., El Sheikh, A. J., Robinson, L. E., Valido, A., & Espelage, D. L. (2021). LGBTQ youth and digital media: Online risks. In M. F. Wright & L. B. Schiamberg (Eds.), Child and adolescent online risk exposure (pp. 303-325). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817499-9.00015-6

Henderson, E. R., Goldbach, J. T., & Blosnich, J. R. (2022). Social determinants of sexual and gender minority mental health. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 9(3), 229-245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40501-022-00269-z

Joosten, F. (2024). Queering children's rights: A critical queer analysis of the UNCRC. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 46(2), 208-225. https://doi.org/10.1080/09649069.2024.2344933

Kessler, R. C., Angermeyer, M., Anthony, J. C., De Graaf, R., Demyttenaere, K., Gasquet, I., De Girolamo, G., Gluzman, S., Gureje, O., Haro, J. M., Kawakami, N., Karam, A., Levinson, D., Mora, M. E., Browne, M., Posada-Villa, J., Stein, D. J., Tsang, C.-H., & Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. (2007). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of mental disorders in the World Health Organization's World Mental Health Survey Initiative. World Psychiatry, 6(3), 168-176.

Langarita, J. A., López-Sáez, M. Á., Platero, L., & Sadurní, N. (2024a). Key recommendations for the implementation of policies concerning LGBTIQ+ children. Sexuality, Gender & Policy, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/sgp2.12084

Langarita, J. A., Platero, L. R., López-Sáez, M. Á., & Sadurní-Balcells, N. (2024b). The impact of children's services professionals on LGBTIQ youth: Knowledge, practices and needs. Children and Youth Services Review, 160, 107544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107544

Langarita, J. A., Platero, L., Esteves, M., & López-Sáez, M. Á. (2024c). Editorial: LGBTIQ+ children in vulnerable contexts: Needs, experiences and resistances. Children and Youth Services Review, 166, 107981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107981

Ley 4/2023, de 28 de febrero, para la igualdad real y efectiva de las personas trans y para la garantía de los derechos de las personas LGTBI. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 51, de 1 de marzo de 2023.

Ley 13/2025, de 29 de diciembre, de los derechos de las personas LGBTI y la erradicación de la LGBTI-fobia. Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya, 9574, de 31 de diciembre de 2025.

Ley 14/2010, de 27 de mayo, de los derechos y las oportunidades en la infancia y la adolescencia. Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya, 5641, de 2 de junio de 2010.

Ley Orgánica 8/2021, de 4 de junio, de protección integral a la infancia y la adolescencia frente a la violencia. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 134, de 5 de junio de 2021.

Lindroth, M., Carlström, C., Andersson, C., & Husén, E. (2025). Social workers as allies? Gender confirming practices and institutional limitations in youth residential homes. Clinical Social Work Journal, 53, 108-116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00940-3

López López, M., González Álvarez, R., ten Brummelaar, M., van Mierlo, K., & Wieldraaijer-Vincent, L. (Eds.). (2021). Working with LGBTQIA+ youth in the child welfare system: Perspectives from youth and professionals. University of Groningen Press. https://doi.org/10.21827/60e5a36110a93

López López, M., Martínez Jothar, G., ten Brummelaar, M., Parra, L. A., González-Álvarez, R., San Juan Morán, G., Wieldraaijer-Vincent, L., & Mallon, G. P. (2023). Informe FIRMUS: niños, niñas y adolescentes LGTBIQ+ en los centros de acogimiento residencial del sistema de protección a la infancia de Cantabria. Dirección General de Políticas Sociales - Gobierno de Cantabria. https://www.serviciossocialescantabria.org/uploads/documentos%20e%20informes/FIRMUS%20necesidades%20NNA%20LGTBIQ%20en%20el%20sistema%20de%20proteccion.pdf

López López, M., Martínez-Jothar, G., ten Brummelaar, M. D. C., Parra, L. A., San Román Sobrino, B., & Mallon, G. P. (2024). "They told me that you can be with whomever you want, be who you are": Perceptions of LGBTQ+ youth in residential care regarding the social support provided by child welfare professionals. Children and Youth Services Review, 159, Article 107498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107498

López López, M., Parra, L. A., O'Brien, R. P., ten Brummelaar, M., Foradada Villar, M., & Martínez-Jothar, G. (2025). Exploring microaggressions among LGBTQIA+ youth in the child welfare system. Children and Youth Services Review, 177, Article 108459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108459

López-Sáez, M. Á., Platero, L., Langarita, J. A., & Sadurní, N. (2025). Professional insights into navigating support for LGBTI children in Spain. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 22, 774-786. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-024-01008-0

Lucassen, M. F. T., Stasiak, K., Samra, R., Frampton, C. M. A., & Merry, S. N. (2017). Sexual minority youth and depressive symptoms or depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 51(8), 774-787. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004867417713664

Mallon, G. P., Paul, J. C., & López López, M. (2022). Protecting LGBTQ+ children and youth. In R. D. Krugman & J. E. Korbin (Eds.), Handbook of child maltreatment (pp. 575-591). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82479-2_29

Marshal, M. P., Dietz, L. J., Friedman, M. S., Stall, R., Smith, H. A., McGinley, J., Thoma, B. C., Murray, P. J., D'Augelli, A. R., & Brent, D. A. (2011). Suicidality and depression disparities between sexual minority and heterosexual youth: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(2), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.02.005

McClain, Z., Hawkins, L. A., & Yehia, B. R. (2016). Creating welcoming spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients: An evaluation of the health care environment. Journal of Homosexuality, 63(3), 387-393. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2016.1124694

McInroy, L. B., & Craig, S. L. (2020). "It's like a safe haven fantasy world": Online fandom communities and the identity development activities of sexual and gender minority youth. Psychology of Popular Media, 9(2), 236-246. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000234

McInroy, L. B., Beaujolais, B., Leung, V. W. Y., Craig, S. L., Eaton, A. D., & Austin, A. (2022). Comparing asexual and non-asexual sexual minority adolescents and young adults: Stressors, suicidality and mental and behavioural health risk outcomes. Psychology & Sexuality, 13(2), 387-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2020.1806103

Mereish, E. H., Parra, L. A., Watson, R. J., & Fish, J. N. (2022). Subtle and intersectional minority stress and depressive symptoms among sexual and gender minority adolescents of color: Mediating role of self-esteem and sense of mastery. Prevention Science, 23(1), 142-153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01294-9

Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129(5), 674-694. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674

Mills-Koonce, R., Rehder, P. D., & McCurdy, A. L. (2018). The significance of parenting and parent-child relationships for sexual and gender minority adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 28(3), 637-649. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12404

Patrón, O. E. (2021). Precarious familismo among Latinas/os/xs: Toward a critical theoretical framework centering queer communities. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(3), 1085-1102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407520971049

Paul, J. C. (2020). Exploring support for LGBTQ youth transitioning from foster care to emerging adulthood. Children and Youth Services Review, 119, Article 105481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105481

Plöderl, M., & Tremblay, P. (2015). Mental health of sexual minorities: A systematic review. International Review of Psychiatry, 27(5), 367-385. https://doi.org/10.3109/09540261.2015.1083949

Prince, D. M., Ray-Novak, M., Tossone, K., Peterson, E., Gillani, B., & Mintz, L. (2024). Psychological comorbidities and suicidality in sexual and gender minority foster youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 156, Article 107379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107379

Robinson, B. A. (2018). Conditional families and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth homelessness: Gender, sexuality, family instability, and rejection. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(2), 383-396. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12466

Rurka, A., Ius, M., Faisca, E., Perdrizet, M.-C., & Séraphin, G. (2026). Social work with LGBTQIA+ youth from the perspective of child protection professionals in France and Italy. Children and Youth Services Review, 183, Article 108807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108807

Sadurní-Balcells, N., Platero, L., de las Heras, R., López-Sáez, M. Á., Ancín-Nicolás, R. A., Albertín, P., Montserrat, C., Fustier-García, N., Argyriou, K., Caballero-Gálvez, A. A., Pastor, Y., Nebot-Garcia, J. E., Mola, P., Bilbao, M., y Langarita, J. A. (2026). CLICK: Connecting families, educators and policymakers to combat violence and improve the well-being of LGBTIQ children through an intersectional approach. National report - Spain. Universitat de Girona y Universidad Rey Juan Carlos.

Schaub, J., Stander, W. J., & Montgomery, P. (2024). Residential social care experiences of LGBTQ+ young people in England: A qualitative interview study. The British Journal of Social Work, 54(4), 1420-1440. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad158

Son, D., & Updegraff, K. A. (2023). Sexual minority adolescents' disclosure of sexual identity to family: A systematic review and conceptual framework. Adolescent Research Review, 8(1), 75-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40894-021-00177-y

Srivastava, A., Green, D., O'Brien, R. P., Parra, L. A., Schrager, S. M., & Goldbach, J. T. (2025). A proposed taxonomy for categorizing sexual identities in adolescence. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 12(3), 477-487. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000685

ten Brummelaar, M., López López, M., Parra, L. A., Gallardo Lastra, G., & Martínez-Jothar, G. (2026). Untangling ethical issues in participatory research practices with young people in contexts of oppression. Qualitative Research in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2026.2636032

Testa, R. J., Habarth, J., Peta, J., Balsam, K., & Bockting, W. (2015). Development of the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2(1), 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000081

Vaccaro, A., August, G., & Kennedy, M. S. (2011). Safe spaces: Making schools and communities welcoming to LGBT youth. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. https://doi.org/10.5040/9798216010593

van Bergen, D. D., Wilson, B. D. M., Russell, S. T., Gordon, A. R., & Rothblum, E. D. (2021). Parental responses to coming out by lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or two-spirited people across three age cohorts. Journal of Marriage and Family, 83(4), 1116-1133. https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12731