{"id":7620,"date":"2024-07-30T16:31:13","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/?p=7620"},"modified":"2024-07-30T16:31:13","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:31:13","slug":"vermont-foster-parents-fight-back-after-their-licenses-were-revoked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/2024\/07\/vermont-foster-parents-fight-back-after-their-licenses-were-revoked.html","title":{"rendered":"Vermont Foster Parents Fight Back After Their Licenses Were Revoked"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alliance Defending Freedom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A couple of Vermont foster parents are suing the state for discrimination after their licenses were revoked. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is representing two couples against the Department of Child and Families, claiming the state\u2019s requirements are unconstitutional. The two families, from Wyndham County, were set to renew their foster care licenses when they received questions about whether they could support and accept an LGBTQ+ foster child. \u201cThey explained that they wanted to adopt this child and care for this child, but they couldn’t agree to say or do anything that went against their religious beliefs. In response, Vermont told them they were no longer eligible to care for this child and revoked their license,” said<\/a> Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse of the ADF. Neither family was caring for a child that identified as trans or homosexual at the time. Widmalm-Delphonse said<\/a> the policy crippled an already buckling system. \u201cVermont\u2019s foster-care system is in crisis: There aren\u2019t enough families to care for vulnerable kids, and children born with drug dependencies have nowhere to call home. Yet Vermont is putting its ideological agenda ahead of the needs of these suffering kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vermont policies require that parents use proper pronouns and take children to events that celebrate their gender and sexual identities even if they are uncomfortable. Both couples, Pastor Brian Wuoti, and his wife, Katy; and Pastor Bryan Gantt along with his wife, Rebecca, are Christians. They have also adopted children previously through the foster care system.
\n\u201cThe Wuoti and Gantt families have adopted five beautiful children between them, including children with special needs. Now Vermont says they\u2019re unfit to parent any child because of their traditional religious beliefs about human sexuality. Vermont seems to care little about the needs of vulnerable children, much less the constitutional rights of its citizens. That\u2019s why we\u2019re suing them in federal court,\u201d said Widmalm-Delphonse.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit will seek for the policy to no longer be enforced due to being a violation of the couples\u2019 First Amendment rights.\u00a0 Aryka Radke, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division, defended the policy. \u201cWith the understanding that many children may not have fully figured out their sexual orientation and\/or gender identity, an honestly answered question today may not reflect the honest feelings of those same children the next day,\u201d Radke added. \u201cThat given, it is our responsibility to ensure all children and youth will reside in a home with caregivers who are committed to fully embracing and holistically affirming and supporting them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A couple of Vermont foster parents are suing the state for discrimination after their licenses were revoked. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is representing two couples against the Department of Child and Families, claiming the state\u2019s requirements are unconstitutional. The two families, from Wyndham County, were set to renew their foster care licenses when they…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":664,"featured_media":7626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nVermont Foster Parents Fight Back After Their Licenses Were Revoked<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A couple of Vermont foster parents are suing the state for discrimination after their licenses were revoked.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/strongermarriages\/2024\/07\/vermont-foster-parents-fight-back-after-their-licenses-were-revoked.html\" 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