Court Backs Oregon Mom in LGBTQ+ Adoption Case

A federal appeals court ruled in a 2-1 decision that Oregon's policy requiring foster parents to affirm and support LGBTQ+ identities likely violates Jessica Bates's First Amendment rights, allowing her to resume her effort to adopt two foster children. The court found the policy compels speech and is not narrowly tailored to the state's interests, sending the case back to the lower court to be reconsidered under strict scrutiny. Bates, a Christian mother, was previously disqualified for declining to comply with the policy due to her religious beliefs. Her legal challenge is supported by the Alliance Defending Freedom. The ruling temporarily blocks Oregon from enforcing its affirmation policy against Bates while litigation continues. The court noted that while protecting LGBTQ+ children is a valid interest, constitutional rights cannot be overridden.