Today we’d like to introduce you to Weston Charles-Gallo.
Hi Weston, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am both an activist and a consultant because my life taught me that surviving foster care and thriving in adulthood are not the same thing.
As a young person, I experienced the foster care system from the inside. Like many youth in care, I was navigating trauma, uncertainty, and the challenge of figuring out who I was. But I also carried another reality that many foster youth face: I was part of the LGBTQ+ community.
For LGBTQ+ young people, foster care can feel like living at the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities. We are not only coping with separation from family, instability, and loss; we are often trying to understand our identity while wondering whether the adults around us will accept us if they know who we truly are.
That question, “Will I be accepted? can influence every interaction a young person has with foster parents, caseworkers, teachers, therapists, and judges.
Too often, LGBTQ+ youth learn to hide parts of themselves to stay safe. Some have experienced rejection from their families of origin. Others fear rejection from foster families or service providers. Many become experts at reading a room before deciding whether they can be authentic.
I know what it feels like when acceptance is uncertain.
That experience is what led me to become an advocate. I wanted systems to understand that LGBTQ+ youth do not need special treatment. They need the same things every young person needs: safety, affirmation, stability, and adults who believe they deserve to be loved exactly as they are.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road.
Like many young people in foster care, I faced challenges related to identity, acceptance, and belonging. As an LGBTQ+ youth, there were times when I felt misunderstood or unsure whether I would be accepted for who I was. As an advocate and consultant, I have also encountered resistance from people who did not fully understand the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care.
One of the biggest challenges has been turning personal experiences into opportunities for education and change. Sharing my story can be emotional, but it is also powerful. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth in foster care have safe, affirming adults in their lives.
The obstacles I’ve faced have shaped my passion for advocacy and remind me why this work is so important. Every challenge has reinforced my belief that all young people deserve to feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an activist, consultant, speaker, and trainer focused on improving outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. Drawing from my own experience in foster care, I help child welfare agencies, foster parents, and professionals create affirming, inclusive environments where all young people can thrive.
I specialize in LGBTQ+ cultural competency, foster care advocacy, and youth engagement, translating lived experience into practical strategies for professionals and caregivers. My advocacy has been featured by NBC News, USA Today, The Daily Beast, and Proud Parenting. I have also testified before Congress and worked with lawmakers and policymakers to advance protections and opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth in care.
My journey through foster care ultimately led to being adopted by my two dads, an experience that shaped my commitment to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to experience safety, support, and belonging.
I am proud to have been recognized as LGBTQ Nation’s Good News Hero and named Young Democrat of the Year in 2022. As a national voice for LGBTQ+ youth with lived foster care experience, I combine personal insight with professional expertise to help organizations create meaningful change.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief: every young person deserves not only acceptance, but a true sense of belonging.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Several resources support my work as an advocate for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. I stay informed through organizations like The Trevor Project, FosterClub, and Human Rights Campaign, Family Equaity and AdoptUSKids
I also find inspiration in the podcast Unlocking Us, which explores vulnerability, leadership, and human connection, topics that strongly align with my personal journey and advocacy work.
Beyond that, I learn most from engaging directly with youth in foster care, collaborating with fellow advocates, and working with foster parents and professionals committed to change. Ultimately, the most valuable resources are those that keep me learning, connected, and grounded in the communities I serve.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wes10cg
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A8Bvba6dp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weston-charles-gallo-7a6065176
