Ladies and Gentlemen,

With regard to Part IV, Program Statement, section B, where it reads:

B. The licensee shall prohibit acts of discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, political beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or family status to:

1. Delay or deny a child's placement; or

2. Deny an individual the opportunity to apply to become a foster or adoptive parent.

I believe that it is unwise to rule out  sexual orientation as a basis for denying opportunity to become a foster or adoptive parent.   This deny freedom of conscience for traditional Christians, Jews and Muslims to place children exclusively with married parents of the opposite sex.  Besides, there will still be plenty of other places for same sex couples to apply for adoption.

Finally, I must state that  I am a resident of Maine, not Virginia.

With grateful appreciation of your consideration of this opinion, I remain,

Yours truly,

David Bardon