I am writing to ask the VA Board of Social Services to sustain its vote of April 20 in support of regulations that respect the conscience and beliefs of faith-based adoption agencies and birth parents on child placement decisions.  I am referring specifically to the proposal submitted by the ACLU and Equality Virginia to add "sexual orientation" under the list of things that can't be "discriminated against."  If an adoption agency would like to add something like that to their own policy, that is their choice, but it is highly important that adoption agencies be able to uphold their principals in selection of adoptive families.  I ask the Board to reject any changes that would discriminate against faith-based agencies as well as many birth parents, and which could force them to either violate their beliefs or, in the case of the agencies, to close their doors. Thank you for your consideration.