Couple denied foster license after gender ideology collides with Christian faith
Jennifer and Shane Degross explain their suit against the state of Washington after their foster care license renewal was denied, and Alliance Defending Freedom’s Christiana Kiefer explains the legal argument in the case.
A couple has filed a lawsuit against Washington state officials accused of denying their foster care renewal license because they will not abide by gender ideology rules that clash with their Christian faith.
During an appearance on "America’s Newsroom," Shane Degross said that when he went through the re-licensing process, he found new regulations and rules not present in previous years.
According to his wife, Jennifer DeGross, one of those rules required the couple to adhere to specific policies regarding "gender ideology."
"It’s disheartening and really unfortunate when the state puts their ideology above the needs of kids," Jennifer said.
IF YOU WANT TO FIX FOSTER CARE, HERE'S WHERE TO START
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a federal lawsuit Friday against state officials who refused to renew Jennifer and Shane DeGross' foster-care license. (Courtesy of Alliance Defending Freedom)
Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the couple, said that when they tried to renew their license with the foster-care licensing agency Olive Crest, the couple was informed the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) enacted new regulations "that require all foster parents to use a foster child’s inaccurate pronouns based on their perceived gender identity, not their actual sex."
The regulations also allegedly require parents to take children to "cultural events," such as pride parades.
DCYF officials allegedly denied their application despite repeated appeal attempts by Olive Crest.
Christian Kiefer, senior counsel with ADF, told co-host Dana Perino that Washington State is using an "ideological litmus test" to exclude people of faith from the foster care system unconstitutionally.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first time Washington officials have been caught violating the First Amendment in this exact same context," she added.
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Aerial view of Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Washington. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Kiefer said she is eager to hold them accountable and to ensure that vulnerable children aren’t left sleeping in hotel rooms or unlicensed facilities but are instead placed in "safe" and "loving homes" like the DeGross.’
"We said that we would love and care for any child in our home. Those were requirements that we could just not abide by as Christians," Jennifer said.
The couple has been licensed for children between the ages of 2 and 18 for over 9 years. They claimed that they would only be able to care for a toddler if they followed the updated license processes.
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"Every child deserves a loving home and when the state puts ideology up on children and when Christian families who exercise their faith are discriminated against — it only harms children and it decreases the number of foster families that can help provide a needed service," Shane said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the DCYF said, "It is well-documented that children and youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ have high rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. They are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide, have suicidal thoughts, or self-harm than youth who are cis-gender or straight. Whether a family accepts or rejects a child’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (SOGIE) has a profound impact on their wellbeing, and children and youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ are over-represented among the foster care population. In Washington, we are committed to ensuring that these vulnerable children and youth do not experience additional trauma when placed out-of-home into foster care."
"The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington entered a permanent injunction in Blais v. Hunter, in which it ordered that we have authority to require that foster parents follow a child’s case plan, which is determined by the dependency court, DCYF, and the child’s legal parents or guardians. Specifically, the injunction states that applicants ‘must agree to follow the child’s case plan and to allow the physical, medical, psychological, emotional, cultural and social needs of foster children who identify as LGBTQ+ or who may so identify in the future to be met in their care.’ This does not mean that foster parents must agree with or support all of DCYF’s policies. We cannot and do not disqualify people from becoming foster parents on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs. However, the permanent injunction does permit DCYF to take an applicant’s views on LGBTQ+ issues into account when reviewing foster family home license applications or family home study applications," they added.
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