Lawsuit claims Mass. foster families are being denied permits due to religious beliefs

A new lawsuit accuses the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families of discrimination against Christian foster parents after permits were revoked due to the state’s LGBTQIA+ policy.

“These families sacrificed for their community and for DCF, and each one of them was told that unless they sign this form that DCF has now created, that they no longer can be foster parents,” said Attorney Mallory Sleight. Sleight represents several families now being denied fostering permits across the state.

The complaint states that DCF requires foster families to sign an agreement that foster parents would affirm the gender identity or sexual orientation of any child in their care. The complaint says DCF’s agreement would require families to use a child’s preferred pronouns, support their clothing choices, and provide medical care.

“The Jones family has been told that not only are they going to lose their license, but that DCF is going to remove their foster daughter,” said Sleight.

Sleight says the Jones’ 17-month-old foster daughter has been in their care since she was about seven weeks. Sleight says the fostering shortage in the state doesn’t make this process any easier. “She has no idea that this family is not her family and instead DCF is involved because of the Jones’ beliefs on gender identity,” said Sleight.

The department tells Boston 25 News it cannot comment on matters related to pending litigation. The department says the code of Massachusetts regulation has been in place since October of 2009, and that, in addition, the department has implemented safety and LGBTQIA+ nondiscrimination policies.

Boston 25 News asked for Governor Healey’s comment on the lawsuit at a separate event in Medford on Tuesday. Healey did not comment on the lawsuit.

“Removal of a child from their family, whatever the reason, is incredibly traumatic. To place a child in a foster care place that might challenge that child’s sense of self and identity could substantially increase that trauma,” Jamie Ann Sabino, MLRI Deputy Director of Advocacy, told Boston 25 News.

The state has not yet responded to the lawsuit in federal court.

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