The Alabama State Senate passed the anti-LGBTQ H.B. 24, which will allow state-licensed child-placing agencies to turn away qualified people seeking to care for a child in need, based solely on religious objections by the agency.
Under the bill, agencies can turn down LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or any other people to whom the agency has a religious objection. The bill would even allow agencies to refuse to place foster children with members of their own extended families based on religious objections.
This is an especially appalling bill when you take into account the fact that LGBTQ youth are often rejected by their families of origin due to their LGBTQ status, and thus end up in the foster care system regularly. These youth in particular are especially vulnerable to discrimination and mistreatment, and such a bill can only make things that much worse for them. Their best shot at being safe and happy is to be placed with parents who understand their challenges and feelings, and support their rights and decisions.
Governor Kay Ivey is being asked not to sign into law this harmful bill, and more than 50 faith leaders have joined an open letter to Montgomery legislators opposing the bill, saying that their faith does require them to discriminate; but instead, to serve all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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