I am writing to express my strong opposition to new regulations which would require all Virginia adoption agencies to not consider the sexual orientation of adoptive parent applicants when determining the placement of a child in an adoptive home.

The state of Virginia contains many, many private religious adoption agencies which would be forced to shut their doors should this regulation be passed, because its standards violate the religious beliefs they hold dear.  This will happen, because this has happened in other states where such regulations have passed.

One very clear example is Catholic Charities of Arlington.  The Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality is clear and unequivocal.  No Catholic charitable organization has the authority to act against this teaching and remain Catholic.  Since Catholic Charities is funded directly by the Church, she would have to shut her doors if she were forced to adhere to these new regulations. 

These new regulations would have seriously adverse effects on the availability of competent and experience adoption agencies in the state of Virginia.

I therefore am strongly opposed to its passage.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Joy Schoenberger

Fredericksburg, Virginia