In this LifeNews article, Vermont officials have reversed course and agreed not to block Christian families from fostering or adopting children based on their religious beliefs about gender and sexuality.
- Vermont’s Department for Children and Families clarified that foster parents are not required to affirm gender ideology or specific identity language as a condition of licensure.
- The policy shift follows legal challenges from Christian families whose foster licenses were revoked or denied renewal over their biblical beliefs about sex being binary.
- The case, Wuoti v. Winters, along with a related lawsuit, argued that the state imposed an unconstitutional ideological test on prospective foster parents.
- As part of the resolution, the Wuoti and Gantt families had their licenses restored, allowing them to continue fostering and adopting children.
- Both families had previously adopted multiple children and cared for vulnerable youth, including those affected by drug exposure and trauma.
- Alliance Defending Freedom represented the families and described the outcome as a victory for religious liberty and parental rights.
- Critics of the prior policy argued Vermont was excluding qualified families during a foster-care shortage driven in part by the opioid crisis.
- Supporters of the settlement say the state should prioritize safe, loving homes over enforcing progressive ideological standards.
Read the full story: https://www.lifenews.com/2026/02/23/vermont-backs-down-wont-stop-christians-from-adopting-children/
