Two Christian foster families in Massachusetts have filed a federal lawsuit following an announcement from the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) that their licenses would be revoked if they do not promote LGBT ideology in their homes. The plaintiffs argue that the new policy compels them to affirm things that conflict with their religious convictions.
Represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the families say DCF’s policy demands they “encourage a child to ‘transition’ socially and medically,” use a child’s preferred pronouns, and otherwise affirm gender identity decisions unconditionally—even if those decisions contradict their faith.
One of the families, Nick and Audrey Jones, has fostered seven children since 2023 and currently cares for a 17-month-old girl. DCF has indicated its intention to remove the child from their care, despite her thriving in a stable home. As ADF’s Senior Counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse put it, this case hurts children and prioritizes ideology over wellbeing.
A second family, Greg and Marianelly Schrock, has fostered 28 children since 2019. They similarly declined to affirm LGBT-related beliefs that conflict with their Christian convictions, prompting DCF to discontinue their license earlier this year.
Families of faith should not be disqualified from serving vulnerable children simply for holding beliefs protected under the First Amendment.
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