It is a sad fact of life that either through parental neglect or death, thousands of children find themselves in foster homes. Its even sadder that some of these children are now being kept from loving homes because the would-be parents are gay. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has just passed a law that allows faith-based adoption agencies to turn away LGBT couples looking to adopt. Recently, we spoke with The Fosters star Hayden Byerly (Jude, #Jonnor), about the stigma that having gay parents will “make a kid gay.”
According to the Michigan ACLU, “Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a package of bills today allowing faith-based adoption agencies to refuse service to anyone they object to on religious grounds.”
ACLU of Michigan deputy director, Rana Elmir released a response to the law, stateing:
“We’re deeply disappointed that Governor Snyder signed this dangerous legislation. We are developing a lawsuit with our Muslim, Jewish, Christian and LGBTQ partners. We encourage any family looking to adopt or foster children who believe they will be adversely affected by this law to contact us immediately. The agencies that are subject to HB 4188-4190 are receiving state money to perform a public function and are therefore state actors. Agencies have a legal obligation to ensure the best interests of the child are considered during placement. There is nothing about this shameful legislation that helps vulnerable kids find homes.”
In a recent interview with The Fosters star Hayden Byerly, we touched on the issue of LGBT couples adopting children and the negative stigma that attached:
“I am a person who strongly believes that being gay or straight is not a choice, so I don't necessarily understand their point when they say that [Jude] was influenced by his moms and that they changed him and kind of shaped him into a gay person.
“I think that no matter what sort of surroundings you are in, that you are who you are. And if you are gay or straight, it doesn't matter if you are in a gay family or a straight family, I don't think that affects you at all.”
What do you think about the new law? Do you think that religion or sexual orientation should matter when it comes to adoption? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
