A Christian couple in Washington state is suing state officials for allegedly refusing to renew their foster care license due to their religious views on gender ideology.
Shane and Jennifer DeGross had served as foster parents for nearly a decade but were denied renewal after expressing to their licensing agency that, due to their faith, they could not lie about a child’s sex or encourage rejecting their sex.
The couple’s lawsuit claims Washington prioritized an ideological agenda over children’s interests by excluding capable parents.
“Washington revoked their foster-care license because of their religious beliefs about human sexuality — prioritizing an ideological agenda over children’s best interests by excluding capable parents who can care for children in need,” the lawsuit states.
It cites another 2020 case where a Washington couple was initially barred from fostering their granddaughter for the same reason but ultimately prevailed in court.
“That hurts the many children in foster care, discriminates against the DeGrosses, and violates the Constitution,” the suit adds.
A similar case is also occurring in Oregon.
The couple is represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, who filed the lawsuit arguing Washington is putting families in an impossible choice between their faith and caring for children, which violates their constitutional rights.
“Washington is putting families like the DeGrosses to an impossible choice: speak against your faith and lie or give up the opportunity to care for hurting children. That is illegal and wrong,” ADF legal counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse said.