Should a person’s religion keep them from becoming a foster parent?

Children deserve to live in a safe home with a loving family. This is the main reason foster care programs exist—to provide children with a stable, positive place to live and grow up.

But in states like Vermont, Oregon, and Washington, prospective foster parents are turned away—just because they hold religious beliefs the state dislikes!

For instance, the Vermont Department for Children and Families instituted a new policy demanding parents “support children’s identities even if it feels uncomfortable,” use pronouns inconsistent with their children’s sex, and take children to events like pride parades.

Qualified, potential foster parents who don’t agree to violate their beliefs cannot foster or adopt a child.

Every child deserves a loving home, and children suffer when the government excludes people of faith from adoption and foster care.