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In Washington, the state’s litmus test for determining who can be a loving parent is political ideology.
In 2022, after just over nine years as foster parents, we decided to renew our licenses to continue caring for vulnerable children. But state officials didn’t want us because of our religious beliefs, beliefs about sexuality and gender that millions of other Americans hold.
The Bible teaches us to care for widows and orphans. That was part of what led us to help people in foster care with him in 2013. We loved every child that came into our home, including a newborn who had just been discharged from the hospital and her 2-year-old girl, whom her two young sons loved like little sisters. We also took care of two other young girls. We have experienced the immense joy of watching young children grow up and the bittersweet goodbyes when children are reunited with their biological mothers, grandmothers, or other loving parents.
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We also knew about the state’s tremendous needs. Thousands of children enter the state’s foster care system each year. And each year, the state recognizes long-term caregivers, particularly respite care providers, parents who can provide short-term relief to families caring for a child with severe needs, or who can act as a stopgap while a child moves. need. Between the houses.
Shane and Jennifer DeGross are foster parents in a battle with the state of Washington over their freedom to exercise their religion.
The situation is so dire that the state is forcing hundreds of children to sleep in hotel rooms, cots in state officials’ offices or in cars. The Family and Children’s Ombuds Office has called the experience “devastating” and traumatic. The kids.
When we decided to renew our license, we wanted to meet that need by focusing on one season of respite care. However, Washington State recently enacted a new policy on SOGIE, or Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression.
According to the state, parents must accept the state’s position on gender ideology and use their foster child’s “pronouns and chosen name” based on gender identity, not gender. Parents should also take their children to “cultural” events such as Pride parades.
During the licensing process, we explained that we intended to love the children placed in our home, but we could not say or do anything that would contradict our faith. Based on common sense and religious conscience, we believe that a girl cannot become a boy and vice versa. You can’t lie to get kids to think otherwise.
The state says this means children of any age, regardless of their faith or identity, cannot be cared for for any period of time. Because we could not agree to make statements contrary to our faith, the state rejected our application and categorically removed us for no other reason than that it did not like our religious beliefs. . For authorities in Washington, that’s more important than helping 4-year-olds who may have nowhere else to go but their hotel rooms.
We were able to provide a loving home. We had that experience. We have faithfully cared for our children without complaining. But the country didn’t care. Washington is more concerned with political agendas than children’s welfare.
We knew the country’s actions were wrong. Government officials violated the First Amendment. So, with legal support from the Alliance Defending Freedom, we are suing the state for putting politics ahead of the interests of our most vulnerable children.
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We know foster care is hard work. Ask any foster parent and they will tell you this is not for the faint of heart. You love your children fiercely with open hands and a big heart, not knowing how long you will be left in their care. It is hard, challenging, painful, and joyful.
According to the state, parents must accept the state’s position on gender ideology and use their foster child’s “pronouns and chosen name” based on gender identity, not gender. Parents should also take their children to “cultural” events such as Pride parades.
Many children in the foster care system have behavioral problems due to past experiences. As a foster parent, you incur the physical, emotional, and mental costs of caring for your child without knowing how long they will be with you. But at the end of the day, it’s a joy. We serve in this capacity because God has called us to do so, and we know how much God loves each of His precious children.
In that case, it is wrong for the state to tell you that you are not qualified because of your religious beliefs. Religious families who want to serve in foster care and adoption do not have to choose between following God’s Word and serving their children. Furthermore, the state should not force caregivers to speak to the state’s ideology as a prerequisite for raising children, regardless of whether they are religious or not.
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Above all, we take this stand for children in foster care. It is these people who are hurt the most by the country’s discriminatory policies, denying them the chance to find loving homes.
Every child deserves this. Children suffer when governments exclude people of faith from adoption and foster care. Courts should crack down on this discriminatory policy, which hurts children the most.
Jennifer DeGross lives in Washington state.
