DENIED: Christian Mom Sues State of Oregon; Denied Adoption Rights Due to Religious Beliefs
Photo of Jessica Bates: Fox News
OREGON — A Christian mother is suing the state of Oregon after being denied the right to adopt because she refused to accept the state’s gender ideology requirements.
Jessica Bates is a single mother of five children and has already endured the pain of losing her husband in a tragic car accident. According to Bate’s lawsuit, filed on Monday, Bates felt compelled to follow her Christian faith and adopt a child. The lawsuit states:
“Jessica Bates feels called to open her home to children in need. On her way to work one day, Jessica heard a broadcast about a man who had adopted, which reminded Jessica the biblical command “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). Inspired, Jessica decided to adopt even though she is raising five children of her own after a car collision tragically killed her husband.”
However, Bates told Fox News that she received a phone call from the state last fall who said her adoption request was put on hold after she disagreed with Oregon’s gender ideology requirements. Bates received a formal letter denying her adoption request just 2 months later.
In Bate’s complaint it alleges:
“The Oregon Department of Human Services (the Department or DHS) has promulgated a rule that persons seeking to adopt must “accept” and “support” the sexual orientation and gender identity of any child the state could place in the applicant’s home. OAR § 413-200-0308(2)(k). Under this rule, caregivers must agree to use a child’s preferred pronouns, take a child to affirming events like Pride parades, or sign the child up for dangerous pharmaceutical interventions like puberty blockers and hormone shots—no matter a child’s age, no matter whether a child actually desires these things, and no matter how deeply these requirements violate the caregiver’s religious convictions.”
On the state of Oregon’s website under the “Who Can Adopt?” tab, it states:
“Families are as diverse as the children needing homes. Each comes from their own different life experiences, levels of education, income, occupations, and lifestyles. Successful families are caring people who are ready to make a commitment to a child.”
Those “life experiences” and “lifestyles” clearly excludes Christian homes after Bate’s story has come to light.
Many in the community are applauding Bate’s courage to stand up for her faith.
This article will be updated
