The state of Massachusetts has eliminated an LGBTQ+ inclusive policy requiring that foster parents commit to affirming the gender identities and sexual orientations of the children in their care. The change came about after the right-wing hate group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) sued on behalf of two religious foster families who refused to commit to providing affirming homes. Related Christian couple loses foster license after refusing to provide affirming home for LGBTQ+ youth The original policy took effect in 2022 and asked foster parents to commit to creating environments that are safe, affirming, and free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying for all children, youth, and families regardless of sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.Language regarding sexual and gender identity has now been removed. Instead, the policy reportedly requires parents to support a childs individual identity and needs. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Massachusetts has told us that this new regulation will no longer exclude Christian and other religious families from foster care because of their commonly held beliefs that boys are boys and girls are girls, said ADF senior counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse in a statement. Our clients loving, caring foster families who have welcomed vulnerable children into their homes as well as many other families affected by this policy, are eager to reapply for their licenses. This amendment is a step in the right direction, and we commend Massachusetts officials for changing course. But this case will not end until we are positive that Massachusetts is committed to respecting religious persons and ideological diversity among foster parents. ADF argued that the policy violated the families First Amendment rights. The group was bolstered by the current administration, which sent a letter to the states Department of Children and Families (DCF) in support of the lawsuit. Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, told the agency that the nondiscrimination policy is deeply troubling, clearly contrary to the purpose of child welfare programs, and in direct violation of First Amendment protections. In the wake of the change, DCF Commissioner Staverne Miller told Fox News Digital(which referred to the original policy as a controversial gender ideology mandate), The Department of Children and Families top priority is providing a safe and supportive home for all children in foster care. We are also committed to ensuring that no one is prevented from applying or reapplying to be a foster parent because of their religious beliefs. Alex J. Adams, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at HHS, told Fox News Digital that the states policy update is a good first step but warned there will be diligent follow-up to ensure the red carpet is rolled out to all foster families. Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at LGBTQ+ civil rights organization GLAD Law, which is based in Boston, told GBH she has been troubled all along by the litigation and by what I see as really a deflection away of our state resources, of our focus on where they should be, which is on children and families.Nothing about the change distracts from the fact that the state remains responsible for the safety and well being of every child in this care and that includes LGBTQ children, she emphasized. LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately represented in the foster care system. A 2019studyfrom the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 30.4% of foster youth identify as LGBTQ+ and 5% identify as trans, compared to 11.2% and 1.17%, respectively, of non-foster youth.The organization Childrens Rights cites several other studies regarding the increased challenges LGBTQ+ youth face in the foster system, including the fact that 44% have either been removed, thrown out, or run away from their home as a result of their identities. These youth are also at higher risk of abuse, institutionalization, and discrimination, and are less likely to find a permanent home before aging out.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.