Religion & Law

Hypothetical Religious Objections On LGBTQ Issues Cannot Disqualify Foster Parents

By Howard M. Friedman

In Blais v. Hunter, (ED WA, Oct. 8, 2020), a Washington federal district court held that the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families cannot use its policy to protect LGBTQ+ foster children as the sole determining factor in rejecting a foster family that expresses sincere religious beliefs that would preclude them from supporting gender transition in hypothetical future situation.  Plaintiffs in the case were a Seventh Day Adventist family that wanted to care for their great-granddaughter who might be removed from her home. The court concluded that the Department?s policies ?operate as a religious gerrymander and are thus not neutral as applied to the Blaises and others similarly situated.? [Thanks to Eugene Volokh via Religionlaw for the lead.]

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 11, 2020 (boomark / email).