Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation’s largest adoption agencies, says it will begin placing children in LGBT homes in Michigan as part of a new state rule.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, announced in March a settlement with two same-sex couples that requires all adoption agencies that contract with the state to work with gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender couples who want to adopt or foster a child. That includes faith-based agencies like Bethany.
That settlement ended a lawsuit by the couples – Kristy and Dana Dumont and Erin and Rebecca Busk-Sutton – who had tried to adopt through Bethany and St. Vincent Catholic Charities upon referrals from the state Department of Health and Human Services, the Detroit Free Press reported. Both couples were turned away.
Bethany’s change does not impact private adoptions or the organization’s work in other states, although last year Bethany made a similar change to continue its contract with the city of Philadelphia.
“We are disappointed with how this settlement agreement has been implemented by the state government,” Bethany said in a statement. “Nonetheless, Bethany will continue operations in Michigan, in compliance with our legal contract requirements.”
Bethany is located in 36 states and works in other countries, too.
“The mission and beliefs of Bethany Christian Services have not changed,” Bethany told LifeSiteNews. “We are focused on demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ by serving children in need, and we intend to continue doing so in Michigan.”
Nessel, a lesbian, fought to legalize gay marriage as a private attorney.
St. Vincent Catholic Charities is challenging the new state rule in federal court, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com.
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