Massachusetts has removed a controversial foster care licensing mandate that excluded families based on their beliefs about gender.

The change follows a federal lawsuit filed in September by Alliance Defending Freedom on behalf of two religious families, who were previously barred from fostering due to their belief that “boys are boys and girls are girls.”

The policy adjustment allows Christian and other religious families to reapply for foster care licenses. Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse called the move “a step in the right direction” while emphasizing that the case will continue until the state fully commits to respecting religious beliefs and ideological diversity among foster parents.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life congratulates our friends at Massachusetts Family Institute, one of the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit Jones v. Mahaniah against officials at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. MFI, in partnership with Alliance Defending Freedom and First & Fourteenth PLLC, filed this case on behalf of devoted Christian foster families who have opened their homes and their hearts to many vulnerable children over the years.

There are more than 8,500 foster children in Massachusetts. Every unborn child deserves our protection and the chance to flourish outside the womb. If you are interested in fostering or adopting, or want to learn more, visit our page Adoption & Foster Care in Massachusetts.