A Washington state rule requiring foster parents to socially “transition” foster children violates the First Amendment through viewpoint discrimination, a federal district court ruled.
On April 22, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington declined to dismiss a lawsuit against the state of Washington, Alliance Defending Freedom reported in a press release. The lawsuit, filed by a Christian foster family, challenges a state agency policy that requires foster parents to use pronouns that differ from a child’s biological sex as well as any chosen names that support a social transition, and provide any other support to aid such transitions.
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The court ruled that the licensing requirements could constitute as unconstitutional compelled speech and force prospective foster parents to either forgo a license or affirm beliefs that contradict their belief system.
‘Available to help’
Shane and Jennifer DeGross, who fostered four children between 2013–2022 in Washington, were denied a renewal of their standard foster care licenses due to their refusal to comply with the state policy, which violates their Christian beliefs.
The complaint describes the DeGross family as “Christians who want to open their home to children in need” and who have “a long-standing passion for foster care and adoption.” The DeGrosses also believe they have “an obligation to be available to help care for ‘widows and orphans’ as the Bible teaches.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Hannah Davis and originally published by Decision Magazine.
