9th Circuit Overturns Oregon LGBTQ Adoption Mandate

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently upheld Washington State laws that protect the rights of minors, including transgender minors, by dismissing a challenge from anti-trans organizations and parents who lacked legal standing. In contrast, the same court struck down an Oregon administrative rule requiring adoptive and foster parents to affirm a child's gender identity and sexual orientation, ruling it violated the First Amendment rights of prospective parents. This decision came in the case of Jessica Bates, who was denied adoption due to her refusal to use preferred pronouns or support gender transition-related care for children, with the court citing compelled speech and religious freedom concerns. The panel, consisting of judges appointed by Presidents Trump, Clinton, and Bush, emphasized that the foster and adoption system must prioritize children's best interests without imposing ideological mandates on parents. Oregon's Department of Human Services was ordered to halt enforcement of the rule during Bates' adoption eligibility determination. These rulings highlight ongoing legal battles over transgender rights, parental rights, and free speech protections in the context of child welfare policies in the Pacific Northwest.