I fully support the addition of anti-discrimination laws when it comes to state-licensed agencies being able to choose homes for children in foster care and pre-adoptive placements. Discriminating against prospective adoptive and foster homes seriously limits the pool of loving, committed, forever homes for the thousands of children in foster care.
It is not OK for state-licensed agencies to tell children they won’t place them because they are not the “right” religion, they are disabled, they are too old or they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. It is also not OK for state-licensed agencies to tell prospective parents (single people or married couples) that they won’t help them provide a child with a loving adoptive or foster care home simply because they are not the “right” gender or religion, they are disabled, they are too old, or they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender. There is no credible evidence from reputable scientific sources that says children raised by gay or lesbian parents suffer disadvantages. In fact, nearly every major child welfare organization confirms that children raised in gay and lesbain households have exactly the same opportunities and chances to lead healthy and fulfilling lives as every other child. Please don't write discrimination into the rules. Stand up for equal and fair access for all Virginia citizens.