"Massachusetts has told us that this new regulation will no longer exclude Christian and other religious families from foster care because of their commonly held beliefs that boys are boys and girls are girls,"
"Our clients - loving, caring foster families who have welcomed vulnerable children into their homes - as well as many other families affected by this policy, are eager to reapply for their licenses. This amendment is a step in the right direction, and we commend Massachusetts officials for changing course. But this case will not end until we are positive that Massachusetts is committed to respecting religious persons and ideological diversity among foster parents."
"safe, affirming, and free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying for all children, youth, and families regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation."
"individual identity and needs."
Massachusetts eliminated an LGBTQ+ inclusive foster-care policy that required foster parents to affirm children's gender identities and sexual orientations. The original 2022 language asked foster parents to create environments that were "safe, affirming, and free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying" regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Language referencing sexual and gender identity has been removed. The revised policy reportedly requires parents to support a child's "individual identity and needs." Alliance Defending Freedom sued on behalf of two religious foster families and argued the original policy violated the families' First Amendment rights.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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