US EditionMassachusetts Removes Rule Requiring Foster Parents to Support LGBTQ+ Youth
Massachusetts replaced specific terms on sexual orientation and gender identity with broader language to address federal concerns and uphold foster children's needs.
- On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families filed an amendment replacing sexual orientation or gender identity with individual identity and needs.
- Federal officials pressured the state after complaints and a September probe, as the Trump Administration opened a September investigation and Alliance Defending Freedom sued Massachusetts on behalf of two families.
- Before the amendment, the prior regulation required prospective foster parents to affirm and respect children's sexual orientation and gender identity, but Massachusetts said the new rule will no longer exclude Christian and other religious families, ADF sued on behalf of two families.
- ADF clients plan to reapply for licenses, their lawyer says, but Alliance Defending Freedom warns its lawsuit will continue until Massachusetts respects religious and ideological diversity among foster parents.
- Officials say the amendment addresses federal ACF concerns while preserving DCF goals, with the DCF stating it meets ACF's concerns and AP/Steven Senne reporting Massachusetts bowed to Trump Administration pressure.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Massachusetts removes rule requiring foster parents to support LGBTQ+ youth
Massachusetts has removed state rules requiring that foster parents support LGBTQ+ youth in their care after lawsuits from families and threats from the Trump administration. The state Department of Children and Families removed the policies Friday, replacing them with a general statement about parents supporting children's "individual identity and needs." The change comes in the wake of two lawsuits from families who lost or were denied their f…
Massachusetts removes LGBT ideology requirements for foster care parents
null / Credit: New Africa/Shutterstock CNA Staff, Dec 19, 2025 / 12:54 pm (CNA). Massachusetts will no longer require prospective foster parents to affirm gender ideology in order to qualify for fostering children, with the move coming after a federal lawsuit from a religious liberty group. Alliance Defending Freedom said Dec. 17 that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families “will no longer exclude Christian and other religious fami…
Massachusetts walks back policy requiring foster parents to promote gender ideology
In a win for religious families, Massachusetts has amended a policy that banned foster parents who refuse to promote gender ideology from having children in their… The post Massachusetts walks back policy requiring foster parents to promote gender ideology appeared first on CatholicVote org.
UPDATE: Massachusetts Drops Gender Ideology Rule for Foster Parents
After an ADF lawsuit and a warning from the Trump administration, the state’s Department of Children and Families now says that Bible-adhering Christians won’t have to embrace LGBTQ ideology in order to take in foster children. [UPDATE] Massachusetts officials have amended a foster care licensing regulation that previously excluded some religious families, following a federal […]
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