"Prior to the settlements, the Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF) required potential foster parents to affirm young people's LGBTQ+ identities - including gender identity and expression - in order to receive a foster license in the state. Those rules were formalized in 2023."
"Court documents filed last month indicate that on February 18, the department issued new guidance for licensing foster parents under which applicants' "sincerely held personal, cultural, religious, moral, or philosophical beliefs shall not be considered in the licensing process." The new guidance further states that the department does not require "endorsement or affirmation of specific identities" or "use of particular vocabulary, prescribed language, or preferred pronouns related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or identity expression.""
"In 2024, the Southern Poverty Law Center-designated anti-LGBTQ+ hate group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) brought a lawsuit on behalf of two couples, Brian and Kaitlyn Wuoti and Michael and Rebecca Gantt, arguing that the department's decision not to renew their foster licenses infringed upon their rights to freedom of speech and free exercise of religion."
Vermont's Department of Children and Families revised its foster parent licensing policies following settlements in two lawsuits. Previously, the department required foster parent applicants to affirm LGBTQ+ identities, including gender identity and expression, to receive licenses. New guidance issued February 18 now states that applicants' personal, cultural, religious, moral, or philosophical beliefs cannot be considered in the licensing process. The department no longer requires endorsement of specific identities or use of particular pronouns related to gender identity or sexual orientation. The change resulted from lawsuits by Christian couples whose licenses were revoked or renewal applications denied due to concerns they would not support LGBTQ+ foster children's identities.
#lgbtq-foster-care-policy #religious-freedom-litigation #vermont-child-welfare #foster-parent-licensing
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