Massachusetts Revokes Foster License From Couple Who Refuse To Create LGBTQ-Affirming Environment
The policy exists to ensure safe placements for youth, free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying.
Featured Image: via Getty Images, Credit, SolStock
A self-described Christian couple in Massachusetts has chosen to defy state policy that recognizes the benefits of fostering an inclusive environment so that children can feel safe to explore their emerging identities. As a result of refusing to sign the Department of Children and Families (DCF) LGBTQIA+ Non-Discrimination Policy, Woburn residents, Lydia and Heath Marvin, had their foster license pulled in April and are actively looking at legal options. They have been foster-parents to eight children over the past five years, including a baby with complex medical issues, plus have three children of their own.
“The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Department’s services, programs, and placements are safe, affirming, and free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying for all children, youth, and families regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation,” DCF policy reads.
That includes accepting the child’s assertion of their identity, addressing children by their names and pronouns, and supporting clothing and appearance choices.
Lydia Marvin told CBS, “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. And, we were ultimately told you must sign the form as is or you will be delicensed.”
Image: via Facebook, CBS WBZ Boston
The Marvins previously failed at attempts to appeal DCF’s decision. Two other self-described Christian families are also taking legal action against DCF policy; they filed a federal lawsuit in September, on freedom of speech and religious liberty grounds, represented by Massachusetts Family Institute, along with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s designated anti-LGBTQ hate group, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF).
Related: SCOTUS To Consider Whether Conversion Therapy Bans Violate First Amendment
ADF is also driving other anti-LGBTQ initiatives, including reversing bans on Conversion Therapy—currently representing the Colorado counselor trying to overturn that ban in the Chiles v. Salazar case now in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
