I would like to commend the Board for its approval on April 20 of regulations that respect the conscience and beliefs of faith-based adoption agencies and birth parents with regard to marriage and the family as it affects child placement decisions.
Many birthparents and prospective adoptive parents choose an agency which shares and promotes their same values. Forcing an agency or individual to choose between following their core values or following the proposed discriminatory regulation would be an extreme violation of religious freedom in Virginia and also runs counter to the religious liberty which is the foundation of our Commonwealth and our nation. My husband and I adopted a young boy through a religious agency that was consistent with our beliefs. These agencies provide a valuable service.
Please reject any proposed changes that would discriminate against such agencies as well as many birth parents and force them to either violate their beliefs or, in the case of the agencies, to close their doors.
