A devout Christian couple in Massachusetts has reportedly lost their foster care license because they refused to sign a state policy requiring them to affirm foster children’s “sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.”
Since 2020, Lydia and Heath Marvin, who already parent three biological children, had fostered eight infants and toddlers—some with serious medical needs. But in April, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) informed them their license would not be renewed unless they agreed to the new LGBT nondiscrimination clause.
The Marvins say the policy directly conflicts with their Christian convictions. Lydia explained they could “love and support” any child in their home, but “simply can’t agree to go against our Christian faith in this area.” Their attempts to seek a waiver were denied—they were told to sign the policy “as is” or face delicense.
Their appeal of the decision failed, leaving them without the ability to foster children anymore. At the same time, Massachusetts’ DCF faces a federal lawsuit from other Christian foster families, backed by the Massachusetts Family Institute and Alliance Defending Freedom, alleging the state is violating free speech and religious liberty by forcing ideological conformity.
This case highlights a growing flashpoint in states’ foster care systems: whether governments can mandate ideological compliance from foster parents as a condition for serving vulnerable children.
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