Lesbian Couples Sues Government For Inability To Foster Refugee Child

[Bob Blaylock]

That is the topic. Deal with it or go away. That case caught my attention, and yes I chose to use it. Can you come up with any other minority that is being subjected to this kind of treatment that is condoned by the government?

Can you come up with any other “minority” that is defined by immoral, perverted sexual behavior, that society has foolishly allowed to gain mainstream acceptance? Homosexuality is pretty much yet, now, but transgenderism is catching up, and whether you will admit it or not, pedophilia is not far behind. That's your real agenda, and everyone knows it. Why else would you be so intent on handing children over to sick perverts?

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Why are you sooooo intent about always making it about me instead of actually dealing with the topic. Why don't you scratch your head real hard and try to come up with something useful and intelligent about the legal aspect of the case? Oh, that's right, you can't

The fact is that your pro-pervert posts tell us much more about your own moral degeneracy and short-eyed sociopathy than they say about the topics that you purport to be trying to discuss.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Why are you sooooo intent about always making it about me instead of actually dealing with the topic. Why don't you scratch your head real hard and try to come up with something useful and intelligent about the legal aspect of the case? Oh, that's right, you can't

The fact is that your pro-pervert posts tell us much more about your own moral degeneracy and short-eyed sociopathy than they say about the topics that you purport to be trying to discuss.

Shut the fuck up already! You are deranged!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Shut the fuck up already! You are deranged!

I'm not the one who is openly advocating giving sick sexual perverts easy access to children. That would be you. Can't get much more deranged than that.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Shut the fuck up already! You are deranged!

I'm not the one who is openly advocating giving sick sexual perverts easy access to children. That would be you. Can't get much more deranged than that.

Is it possible that you are so mentally deficient and deranged that you believe that these women would pose a threat of some kind to a foster child?

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Is it possible that you are so mentally deficient and deranged that you believe that these women would pose a threat of some kind to a foster child?

They're mentally- and morally-disordered sexual perverts. How mentally deficient and deranged, and morally vapid does one have to be to think that putting children in their control is a good idea?

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Is it possible that you are so mentally deficient and deranged that you believe that these women would pose a threat of some kind to a foster child?

They're mentally- and morally-disordered sexual perverts. How mentally deficient and deranged, and morally vapid does one have to be to think that putting children in their control is a good idea?

Well crusader Bob....what are you doing about rescuing the millions of children who are in the care of gay people? You better get busy. Ever wonder why you don't hear horror stories about how these kids are being abused on a daily basis? Think about that.

Same-sex Parents and Their Children

Studies estimate that between 1 and 9 million children in the United States have at least one parent who is lesbian or gay. There are approximately 594,000 same-sex partner households, according to the 2000 Census, and there are children living in approximately 27 percent of those households.

 

[Crixus]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

OR, let’s not try and start shit by going to a religious organization to get something done when you know what the out come is going to be. So you know, My old boss is a married gay dude who with his partner has adopted four kids and fostered an ungodly number of teens without any issue other then being busted for pot when we were in school. This is a non story and largely bullshit.

 

[Tilly]

Ever wonder why you don't hear horror stories about how these kids are being abused on a daily basis? Think about that.

There are plenty of stories from kids who who had a hard time with their adoptive gay parents. You mean you’ve never ever seen any of them?

 

[BlackSand]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ... Does not use discretionary grant money to establish a religion.
They use the money to care for the children ... And they are allowed to oversee the adoption process.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 ... Does allow for faith based initiatives to work outside federal law requirements.
Especially if they can prove the money they received is not used in violation of the Anti-Establishment Clause.

In other words ... The fact you don't like what they do ... Doesn't mean they have to do it your way.
You could petition to have grant money eliminated from the faith based charity ... But that's not going to help the children.

The lesbian couple could however apply for federal grant money in order to adopt a refugee child through another organization.


.

 

[BlackSand]

.​

Ooops ... Pineapple​

.​

 

[TNHarley]

It will be an interesting case. Thats for sure.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

You're posting a poll on a site where more than half of the posters believe in discrimination period...you will never get the debate you wish here..as all the trolls will chime in with anti-gay rhetoric and the usual alt/right BS.

My answer..a person's sexuality has no bearing on one's ability to parent..but you'll not get a lot of that here. The law should not discriminate on that basis...income, social stability, criminal past..should all be considered--race and sexual preference should not be an issue.

I think the law agrees..when it gets to a high enough court.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Ever wonder why you don't hear horror stories about how these kids are being abused on a daily basis? Think about that.

There are plenty of stories from kids who who had a hard time with their adoptive gay parents. You mean you’ve never ever seen any of them?

View attachment 179073

Sure there are. I never claimed that all gay parents are good parents. Anyone can come up with some anecdotal stories. But there are a hell of a lot of bad straight parents too, and I'm willing to bet that proportionally, there are more bad hetero parents out there. I worked in child protective services for 26 years and I know what I'm talking about. I also know that Blaylock is a disturbed and hysterical crackpot as is anyone who believes him.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

OR, let’s not try and start shit by going to a religious organization to get something done when you know what the out come is going to be. So you know, My old boss is a married gay dude who with his partner has adopted four kids and fostered an ungodly number of teens without any issue other then being busted for pot when we were in school. This is a non story and largely bullshit.

They didn't go to Catholic Charities to start shit. They were out of options for reasons that I documented. And noth can change the fact that they were discriminated against.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ... Does not use discretionary grant money to establish a religion.
They use the money to care for the children ... And they are allowed to oversee the adoption process.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 ... Does allow for faith based initiatives to work outside federal law requirements.
Especially if they can prove the money they received is not used in violation of the Anti-Establishment Clause.

In other words ... The fact you don't like what they do ... Doesn't mean they have to do it your way.
You could petition to have grant money eliminated from the faith based charity ... But that's not going to help the children.

The lesbian couple could however apply for federal grant money in order to adopt a refugee child through another organization.


.

Thank you for that rational and reasonable response. I realize that it is a complicated issue and far from cut and dry. We will see how it goes

 

[Tilly]

Ever wonder why you don't hear horror stories about how these kids are being abused on a daily basis? Think about that.

There are plenty of stories from kids who who had a hard time with their adoptive gay parents. You mean you’ve never ever seen any of them?

View attachment 179073

I never claimed that all gay parents are good parents.

Ever wonder why you don't hear horror stories about how these kids are being abused on a daily basis? Think about that.

Yeah, right. Lol.

 

[Tilly]

I worked in child protective services for 26 years and I know what I'm talking about.

So you keep saying, and it highlights exactly what’s wrong with child protective services, employing juvenile SJWs who can’t set their politics and anti heterosexual views aside, and who are utterly obsessed with all things gay. I really don’t think people like that (ie people like you) make decisions that are solely based on what is best for the child AT ALL, as you prove here every single day.

 

[Crixus]

There is something rotten in Texas. There are Children in need of homes and these women are ready, willing and able to prove one, but are not being allowed to do so. They wanted care for an older children who are hard to place. In addition, of the women is an attorney with an expertise in immigration rights. .

PLEASE read to the end and if you choose to participate in the poll, please include an explanation for your answer

Lesbian couple sues feds for thwarting their chance to foster refugee children

https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/health/lesbian-couple-sues-hhs/index.html

• A married lesbian couple from Texas is suing the federal government
• They say an agency, funded by taxpayers, prevented them from fostering refugee children
• Millions of dollars in federal grant money goes to Catholic organization that discriminates, lawyer says

Three years ago, as they wore long gowns and exchanged vows surrounded by people who love them, Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin imagined a growing family. But like so many couples who dream of having children, they keep hitting roadblocks.

They tried IVF treatments and had no luck. They would have liked to adopt domestically, but state-funded agencies in Texas, where they live, are free to exclude same-sex couples. They say they can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to adopt privately.

So early last year, they turned their attention to the idea of fostering refugee children. They were sure they had found their answer. They didn't get far, though, before they were proved wrong.

However...

During an informational phone call with the organization in charge, Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, they say, they were told that same-sex couples are ineligible to apply because they don't "mirror the Holy Family."

Let’s that sink in? To be worthy and competent parents you have to “mirror the holy family”. What is a family? Who decides? How many families that do not “mirror the holy family” and have children and are even allowed to adopt them? And, taxpayers take note, Catholic Charities accepts federal funding! And lets not forget the First Amendment, the part about “ Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion” They are also suing under the

Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the U.S Constitution by allowing USCCB to impose a religious test governing the provision of federal child welfare services.

What drives this case ?

​

At the heart of their legal complaint is the financial story behind Catholic Charities of Fort Worth. It is the only organization the couple and their lawyers know of in their area that places refugee children in homes, and it is supported by taxpayers. Its child welfare work is funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (known as USCCB), the plaintiffs' lawyer explains, which receives millions of dollars in grant money to help two federal government programs: one for unaccompanied refugee minors and the other for unaccompanied alien children. All that grant money is distributed by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- which is why various government entities, including HHS, are named in the lawsuit along with the overarching Catholic organization, USCCB.

Using Catholic doctrine to dictate foster parent eligibility violates constitutional protections, said Jamie Gliksberg, a Lambda Legal staff attorney who is working on their case.

Here is more on Lambda Legal: Lambda Legal Sues HHS after Lesbian Couple Blocked from Serving as Foster Parents

Lambda Legal today filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on behalf of a couple who were denied the opportunity even to apply to serve as foster parents for refugee children by a USCCB affiliate because, they were told, they did not “mirror the Holy Family.”

HHS funds the program that turned away Fatma Marouf and Bryn Esplin, a married same-sex couple, exclusively with taxpayer money. HHS funded USCCB to perform federal child welfare services through its affiliates even though USCCB made clear that it would use the funds to deny such services to members of the public based on USCCB’s religious beliefs.

Being denied the opportunity to foster a child because we don’t “mirror the Holy Family’ – clearly code for being a same-sex couple – was hurtful and insulting to us. More than that, though, insisting on such a narrow, religious view of what a family must look like deprives these children of a nurturing, supportive home," said Esplin.

“Refugee children have been through enough trauma to last a lifetime," Marouf said. "They need love, stability, and support, which Bryn and I have in abundance. But in discriminating against us, the agency put their religious views of LGBT people above what is best for the kids in their care.”

“The federal government was on notice when it funded USCCB that this organization refuses to provide services to same-sex spouses at taxpayer expense,” Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Kenneth D. Upton said. “Our government should not be favoring certain religious beliefs over others—to the tune of millions of dollars—and turning people away from government services based on their failure to conform to the dictates of a particular religious belief."

Let’s keep this about the Constitution, the law, government funding and refugee children as opposed to Homosexuality and parenting. There has been far too much of that and it always turns into a shit storm

OR, let’s not try and start shit by going to a religious organization to get something done when you know what the out come is going to be. So you know, My old boss is a married gay dude who with his partner has adopted four kids and fostered an ungodly number of teens without any issue other then being busted for pot when we were in school. This is a non story and largely bullshit.

They didn't go to Catholic Charities to start shit. They were out of options for reasons that I documented. And noth can change the fact that they were discriminated against.

Out of what options? There are about ten bajillion ways for a couple, gay or straight to adopt one or twelve of the bajillion orphan children in the USA alone. I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure Muslim people looking to place Muslim kids probably won’t send them to gay people to begin with. Just not seeing an issue here.

 

[BlackSand]

Thank you for that rational and reasonable response. I realize that it is a complicated issue and far from cut and dry. We will see how it goes

There were two things I found odd in the research and case ...

First ... The Religious Freedom Restoration Act 1993 ...
Was introduced in the House by (then) Congressman Chuck Schumer and introduced in the Senate by Senator Ted Kennedy.
It passed both houses of Congress with only three Senators voting against it ... And was signed into law by President Clinton.

Second ... There are other opportunities and grant money available to the couple ...
Albeit it would require they look further than their local area.
At that point it makes you wonder whether or not they are more interested in the case ... Than the ability to adopt and assist a child.

I am not saying they shouldn't have questions ... Motive and end results make a difference though.

.