Christian foster parents lose licence over LGBT affirming policy

An American Christian couple have lost their fostering licence for not signing an LGBT+ affirming policy.

Lydia and Heath Marvin were told by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) that their licence would not be renewed as a result.

The couple, who were described by the foster agency as ‘uniquely dedicated’ parents, have previously cared for eight toddlers under 4 years old, some with serious medical needs.

‘Go against our faith’

The policy would require the couple to “support, respect, and affirm a foster child’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression”.

Lydia Marvin explained: “We will absolutely love and support and care for any child in our home, but we simply can’t agree to go against our Christian faith in this area.”

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. – James 1:27

She said: “We weren’t just going to say we care for the fatherless and widows and give money to some entity. We were actually going to do it ourselves, together as a family, and our kids would be a part of that.” But added: “Now it seems like there’s no path forward”.

Heath explained it was their Christian faith which led them to start fostering in the first place, referring to the book of James which he said taught him that “true, undefiled religion is to care for the fatherless”.

‘Deeply troubling’

A federal lawsuit against DCF has been launched by two other Christian families. It argues that the policy is forcing foster parents to “renounce their beliefs in both speech and practice”.

Polly Crozier, Director of Family Advocacy for LGBTQ+ activist group GLAD, stated: “The Department of Children and Families works in partnership with foster parents to understand a child’s trauma and to meet their physical and emotional needs by providing safe, consistent, and supportive relationships to thrive”, adding: “The state has an obligation to make sure children are safe and well protected”.

However, Andrew Gradison, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Government’s Administration for Children and Families, commented: “These policies and developments are deeply troubling, clearly contrary to the purpose of child welfare programs, and in direct violation of First Amendment protections”.

‘State overreach’

The Christian Institute’s Head of Communications, Angus Saul, commented: “This policy is a very clear example of state overreach. The state has a duty to protect those children in its care, but here we have an example of a well-regarded couple with an extensive history of positive work with children being screened out because of their religious beliefs.

“All humans are made in the image of God and have inherent value, making each person worthy of dignity and respect. But treating a child with respect when they announce they are same-sex attracted or confused about their gender is a very different proposition to affirming what the Bible declares to be contrary to God’s good design.

“While Christians must always count the cost of following Christ and abiding by his will, even when it is difficult to do so, we should pray for this unjust and discriminatory policy to be overturned, so that this couple may return to serving their Lord by opening up their home to those who need it most.”