Author Profile

Kristopher Sharp

Former foster youth

Kristopher Sharp, a native Texan, served as an aide for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and as a fellow for the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. As a former foster child and homeless youth, Kristopher has spent his entire professional career working to improve policies affecting children, youth and families. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Houston-Downtown and a Master of Public Administration from Texas Southern University.

Latest Columns

Health

The deadly consequences of Texas’ HB 3859

By Kristopher Sharp, June 23, 2017

As a gay child in the foster care system, I spent my childhood in facilities like that. My Child Protective Services caseworker told me at one point that I could either “keep being gay or straighten up” if I wanted to be placed with a foster family.

Health

I'm a survivor of Texas' broken foster care system

By Kristopher Sharp, Dec. 18, 2015

When the state removed me from my family, I thought I would finally have the chance to escape the abuse I had become so accustomed to at home. Instead, I was thrust into a nightmare that was worse than anything I had experienced before.