Judge: Antigay N.Y. Adoption Agency Can Turn Away Same-Sex Couples
Reversing an earlier ruling of hers, an Albany, N.Y.-based federal judge decided a Christian-affiliated adoption agency can remain open even though it refuses to place children with same-sex couples or unmarried adults.New Hope Family Services of Syracuse, N.Y., refused to change its placement policy after New York State passed a nondiscrimination law in 2014.
New Hope officials claimed they didn’t deny same-sex couples and unmarried prospective parents the chance to adopt because they would refer them to other agencies that allowed such parents, reports Syracuse.com.Eventually, the state’s Office of Children and Family Services found New Hope’s policy incompatible with the state’s laws — officials demanded New Hope modernize its rules or shut down.
Instead, New Hope sued.U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino initially ruled against New Hope and their constitutional arguments in 2019.
The agency appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that New Hope’s discriminatory policies were a form of free speech.
