Professor of Law Clifford Rosky contributed to the development of a new report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), providing resources and recommendations to support LGBTQI+ youth. SAMHSA is a behavioral health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Titled “Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth,” and released on the annual Transgender Day of Visibility, the report emphasizes that affirming care is evidence-based and appropriate for LGBTQI+ youth. 
Rosky was one of two lawyers invited to serve on SAMHSA’s Subject Matter Expert Consensus Panel—a group of researchers, practitioners and experts who offered extensive input during the development of the report. “This report is a vital resource for behavioral health professionals, researchers, policymakers and other audiences, because it provides them with a comprehensive research overview and accurate information about therapeutic practices related to youth of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities,” said Rosky.
The report provides an updated evidence-based roadmap for supporting and affirming LGBTQI+ youth. It comprehensively reviews key scientific studies, guidelines from major medical and other professional associations, and implications for clinical care. The report also offers guidance and resources for health care providers, educators, families, community leaders, and others to reduce behavioral health inequities facing LGBTQI+ youth and their families.
Rosky is an expert in a range of LBGTQIA+ issues, having conducted research and published extensively on discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals. His recent article “Don’t Say Gay: The Government’s Silence and the Equal Protection Clause,” was published in the University of Illinois Law Review. His expertise is frequently sought by media, including the BBC, the Washington Post, and many others.
Read more about the SAMHSA report here.