Vermont Said These Christian Families Cannot Adopt Children — One Guess Why

Two Christian couples in Vermont who foster children had their foster-care licenses revoked. Why? Because they believe a biological truth: boys can’t be girls, and girls can’t be boys.

The parents believe that marriage is the union between one man and one man, God made two sexes, and homosexuality is a sin.

Vermont wants all foster parents to speak a message that parents oppose. If you’re unwilling to lie about biology, you’re not fit to take care of children in need.

According to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the couples’ legal counsel, children’s services officials have nothing but praise for Brian and Kaitlyn Wuoti and Michael and Rebecca Gantt. But the state bars these foster parents from even caring for relatives. They can’t provide respite care, one-day infant care, or care for children who share their faith.

The parents stated in their complaint (PDF) that Vermont’s foster care system is in crisis. Too many children, and not enough homes.

This shortage has led to many children residing in residential
treatment centers and a practice called “staffing,” where children are
“held at a hotel, sheriffs office, or other location, with no access to
education, treatment, peer interactions, or community engagement.”

The plaintiffs were denied a preliminary injunction in a lower court, and they appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. They alleged that the state has violated their First Amendment freedom of speech and of religion.