Lesbian Couples Sues Government For Inability To Foster Refugee Child

[Crixus]

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.

.

Exactly.

 

[Tilly]

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.

About the Muslim Adoption Network
Purpose

The primary goal of Muslim Adoption Network is to locate Muslim homes for Muslim children in need of a home.

About Muslim Adoption Network: Muslim Adoption Agency?

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

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.

That is just as stupid as stupid gets!! Juvenile? Anti hetero? Obsessed? You have a hell of a fucking nerve calling my judgement and motives into question!!

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Thank you for you eloquent legal opinion but this is very much about the constitution. What if an agency chose not to place kids with black or Jewish people ? Should they just suck it up ?

Let me know when that happens.

The point is not whether or not it will happen . The question is what if? Do you think that other minorities should be protected from discrimination, or are gays a special case?

Only because they make themselves a special case.

Oh really ? No other group has ever made some noise about being discriminated against? Thank you for admitting that there should be open season on gays only

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Not that there is anything wrong with his being a so deep in the closet case that he loses wi-fi signal..

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Let me know when that happens.

The point is not whether or not it will happen . The question is what if? Do you think that other minorities should be protected from discrimination, or are gays a special case?

Only because they make themselves a special case.

Oh really ? No other group has ever made some noise about being discriminated against? Thank you for admitting that there should be open season on gays only

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Not that there is anything wrong with his being a so deep in the closet case that he loses wi-fi signal..

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

The point is not whether or not it will happen . The question is what if? Do you think that other minorities should be protected from discrimination, or are gays a special case?

Only because they make themselves a special case.

Oh really ? No other group has ever made some noise about being discriminated against? Thank you for admitting that there should be open season on gays only

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Not that there is anything wrong with his being a so deep in the closet case that he loses wi-fi signal..

So why won't you?

 

[Lastamender]

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.

About the Muslim Adoption Network
Purpose

The primary goal of Muslim Adoption Network is to locate Muslim homes for Muslim children in need of a home.

About Muslim Adoption Network: Muslim Adoption Agency?

What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No gay Muslim children? No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bob Blaylock]

That is just as stupid as stupid gets!! Juvenile? Anti hetero? Obsessed? You have a hell of a fucking nerve calling my judgement and motives into question!!

When your “judgement and motives” would put children in the hands of morally-defective sexual perverts, then yes, absolutely, it needs to be called into question. You clearly have an agenda that is not the least bit concerned about the safety or well-being of the children in question. What purpose are you pursuing, for which you would sacrifice these innocent children?

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

And not just about consenting adults practicing these perversions. That's one thing. Dragging innocent children into that filth—which seems to be a major part of his agenda—is something else entirely.

In a sane society, he'd be in prison for the rest of his life, which his fellow inmates would be quite pleased to see to it that it is not very long at all.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

And not just about consenting adults practicing these perversions. That's one thing. Dragging innocent children into that filth—which seems to be a major part of his agenda—is something else entirely.

In a sane society, he'd be in prison for the rest of his life, which his fellow inmates would be quite pleased to see to it that it is not very long at all.

Blaylock, You are a seriously hysterical, deranged and delusional mental case. What are you doing about those two million or so kids who are currently in the care of gay people? Considering your condemnation of me for placing kids with gay people, I would think that you would be on a grand crusade, through the courts and the legislature, to rescue those kids and put a stop to it all. Are you? I've had my fun with your bizarre ass, not I'm going to ignore you. Blather on but head.

 

[Coyote]

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

And not just about consenting adults practicing these perversions. That's one thing. Dragging innocent children into that filth—which seems to be a major part of his agenda—is something else entirely.

In a sane society, he'd be in prison for the rest of his life, which his fellow inmates would be quite pleased to see to it that it is not very long at all.

Why do you think everything is about sex? That a homosexual couple can't possibly have any other facets to their lives? Do heterosexual couples drag their children into their sexual lives? The only agenda here is that children in need get into good homes - not shunted through foster care until they age out.

 

[TheProgressivePatriot]

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

And not just about consenting adults practicing these perversions. That's one thing. Dragging innocent children into that filth—which seems to be a major part of his agenda—is something else entirely.

In a sane society, he'd be in prison for the rest of his life, which his fellow inmates would be quite pleased to see to it that it is not very long at all.

Why do you think everything is about sex? That a homosexual couple can't possibly have any other facets to their lives? Do heterosexual couples drag their children into their sexual lives? The only agenda here is that children in need get into good homes - not shunted through foster care until they age out.

Blaylock is either seriously deranged or just knowingly playing a sick game. Thanks to him, Tilly and others, this thread has become the shit sandwich that I hoped to avoid.

It appears that they do not see LGBT people as actually being human- as being defined entirely as a sex act, while at the same time, have deep seated fears doubts about their own sexuality. This fear mongering about children is especially disturbing and unfortunate.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Blaylock is either seriously deranged or just knowingly playing a sick game. Thanks to him, Tilly and others, this thread has become the shit sandwich that I hoped to avoid.

It appears that they do not see LGBT people as actually being human- as being defined entirely as a sex act, while at the same time, have deep seated fears doubts about their own sexuality. This fear mongering about children is especially disturbing and unfortunate.

You're the one who wants to give these sick perverts easy access to children. Seriously deranged, sick game, disturbing and unfortunate? Someone who takes the side of sick sexual perverts wanting access to children is in no place to throw such darts at anyone else.

 

[Coyote]

Blaylock is either seriously deranged or just knowingly playing a sick game. Thanks to him, Tilly and others, this thread has become the shit sandwich that I hoped to avoid.

It appears that they do not see LGBT people as actually being human- as being defined entirely as a sex act, while at the same time, have deep seated fears doubts about their own sexuality. This fear mongering about children is especially disturbing and unfortunate.

You're the one who wants to give these sick perverts easy access to children. Seriously deranged, sick game, disturbing and unfortunate? Someone who takes the side of sick sexual perverts wanting access to children is in no place to throw such darts at anyone else.

This is not about sick perverts. It's about normal, adult human beings wanting to give a child a home and a family.

That's the only side being taken here.

 

[Coyote]

Why are you sooooooooooo obsessed with all things gay???
Not a single day passes when you’re not foaming at the mouth about some (usually imagined) slight against homosexuals.

Yet, he claims not to be gay! However, one look at his avatar tell you he is lying. That's a face only another homosexual could love.

He does spend practically every waking moment posting craps about gays, lesbian, and trannies. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?

And not just about consenting adults practicing these perversions. That's one thing. Dragging innocent children into that filth—which seems to be a major part of his agenda—is something else entirely.

In a sane society, he'd be in prison for the rest of his life, which his fellow inmates would be quite pleased to see to it that it is not very long at all.

Good grief. The days are long past, in this country, when people were thrown in jail simply because they loved.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

This is not about sick perverts. It's about normal, adult human beings wanting to give a child a home and a family.

That's the only side being taken here.

Homosexuals are not “normal, adult human beings”. Homosexuality is an abnormality, at the very least. It certainly is not the basis for a healthy environment in which to raise a child.

 

[Coyote]

This is not about sick perverts. It's about normal, adult human beings wanting to give a child a home and a family.

That's the only side being taken here.

Homosexuals are not “normal, adult human beings”. Homosexuality is an abnormality, at the very least. It certainly is not the basis for a healthy environment in which to raise a child.

There is no compelling evidence to show that it is any unhealthier than a heterosexual environment.

What IS unhealthy however is a childhood spent in foster homes.

 

[Bob Blaylock]

Good grief. The days are long past, in this country, when people were thrown in jail simply because they loved.

An adult can still go to jail for “loving” a minor. Of course, both you and TheRegressivePervert are pushing an agenda that has the obvious intent to change that. Giving immoral perverts such control over children as you desire is a very obvious step in that direction.

 

[Coyote]

Good grief. The days are long past, in this country, when people were thrown in jail simply because they loved.

An adult can still go to jail for “loving” a minor. Of course, both you and TheRegressivePervert are pushing an agenda that has the obvious intent to change that. Giving immoral perverts such control over children as you desire is a very obvious step in that direction.

I'm thinking of consenting adults.

I don't know of anyone here who is pushing any sort of agenda that allows legalization of sex with minors. Get a grip.

 

[Coyote]

What about immoral heteroperverts who abuse the children in their care? Maybe we should have them raised by robots.