By Alex Brick –
Two Christian couples are suing Vermont’s Department for Children and Families (DCF), alleging their foster care licenses were revoked because of their religious beliefs and refusal to embrace gender ideology, sparking a legal battle over faith, free speech and the future of foster care.
“This action not only violates our Constitutional rights but also jeopardizes the well-being of children in dire need of safe, loving homes,” actress and foster care parent Jen Lilley told CBN.
The lawsuit filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of Brian and Kaitlyn Wuoti and Michael and Rebecca Gantt, claims Vermont’s policy requiring foster parents to affirm children’s gender identities discriminates against families with religious convictions. The couples argue the mandate violates their first amendment rights and prevents vulnerable children from finding a home.
“There are more children in crisis, yet there is a shortage of foster parents and foster care homes. Our state and government cannot handle or address this issue on their own,” says Dr. John DeGarmo, director of the Foster Care Institute. “If faith-based families are excluded, we risk losing a large percentage of foster parents and support services.”
The Gantts, one of the couples involved, have firsthand experience with Vermont’s foster care crisis. Michael Gantt, a pastor, and his wife, Rebecca, have adopted three children through the system in addition to their four biological children. Their commitment to foster care, they say, is rooted in their Christian faith.
“The Bible talks about God as our heavenly father, who has adopted us into his family, and so we wanted to reflect that in our own lives,” Gantt told CBN.
Last year, the Gantts were approached by the DCF to adopt a baby born to a homeless drug addict. The agency initially told the family they were an ideal fit, but the process abruptly stopped when the couple said they could not affirm views on gender identity that conflicted with their religious beliefs.
“The whole department agrees you’re the perfect home and first choice,” a resource coordinator told them. However, they were later informed they would need to comply with Vermont’s policy of affirming the gender identities of children in foster care.
According to the lawsuit, the Gantts responded that they would love and support any child placed with them but could not compromise their belief that people should embrace their God-given bodies. The DCF rejected their stance, revoked their license, and placed the baby elsewhere.
“In essence, the policy requires foster parents to agree to lie to children and tell them that they can change their sex,” ADF said in a statement.
The lawsuit argues that Vermont’s policy violates the Constitution by excluding foster parents based on their religious beliefs. It claims that this “faith-based litmus test” deprives children of stable homes, exacerbating the state’s foster care shortage and putting ideology ahead of children’s needs.
Actress and foster care advocate Jen Lilley called the situation a wake-up call for the nation. “This action not only violates our Constitutional rights but also jeopardizes the well-being of children in dire need of safe, loving homes,” she said. “If Christians are stripped of their ability to foster, who’s next? Homes that can provide safety and stability should not fear discrimination based on their beliefs.”
Vermont DCF has stated it cannot comment on pending litigation but emphasized that its policies aim to provide care for children in homes that support “all aspects of what makes them who they are, including their sexual orientation and gender identity.”
The Wuotis and Gantts are asking the court to declare the state’s policy unconstitutional and ensure that foster families cannot be excluded for holding religious beliefs. The case not only raises questions about the intersection of religious freedom and public policy but also underscores the urgent need to prioritize the best interests of vulnerable children.
Note: Subsequent to the writing of this article, President Trump banned children trans surgeries by executive order. It remains to be seen how this will affect state policies and actions.
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Related content: super woke Vermont tells parents NOT to call their children ‘boy’ or ‘girl,’ CA Gov. Gavin Newsom blocks parents from guiding kids away from transgender treatments, in their woke worldview progressive LGBTQ embrace Islam, will Christmas be canceled in Europe and Australia?
About this writer: Alex Brick studies at the Lighthouse Christian Academy near West Los Angeles.
