New York, NY — Family Equality Council condemns comments made today by President Trump signaling his administration’s support for policy that allows adoption and foster care agencies to discriminate on the basis of their religious beliefs instead of putting the needs of children first.
“Today the President went beyond his administration’s recent actions authorizing discrimination against qualified foster parents based on their religious beliefs, specifically speaking out in support of a faith-based agency that turns away same-sex couples,” said The Rev. Stan J. Sloan, CEO of Family Equality Council. “Limiting the pool of potential parents ready to open their homes to children in need in the name of religion runs counter to every best practice in child welfare. It is critically important that the majority of Americans — who we know believe such discrimination has no place in our society — speak out in opposition.”
President Trump’s comments, made at the National Prayer Breakfast, come on the heels of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ January 23 waiver allowing South Carolina faith-based foster care agencies to turn away qualified Jewish foster parents and other who don’t meet the agencies’ religious litmus test.
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council advances legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change. Family Equality Council believes every LGBTQ person should have the right and opportunity to form and sustain a loving family, regardless of who they are or where they live. Learn more at familyequality.org.
# # #
President Trump’s full remarks can be viewed here, and the relevant passage is transcribed below:
“Here with us this morning are Melissa and Chad Buck from Holt, Michigan. In 2009 they decided to adopt. Soon they got a call about 3 young siblings in a terribly abusive home. Melissa and Chad had only a few minutes to decide and they said yes to all three. Today the Bucks have 5 beautiful adopted children. As Melissa has said they are the sweetest, most lovable children. They have the most unique gifts. 2 of them have joined us for this breakfast, 10 year old Max and 9 year old Liz. To Max, Liz and the entire Buck family thank you for inspiring us all. Unfortunately the Michigan adoption charity that brought the Buck family together is now defending itself in court for living by the values of its Catholic faith. We will always protect our country’s long and proud tradition of faith-based adoption. My administration is working to ensure that faith-based adoption agencies are able to help vulnerable children find their forever families while following their deeply held beliefs.”
Media Contact:
Ed Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Family Equality Council
646-880-3005 x117 / eharris@familyequality.org