Oregon Settles Adoption Case, Reconsiders Christian Mother’s Application

Oregon has settled a lawsuit brought by Jessica Bates, a widowed mother of five whose application to adopt foster children was rejected after she said her religious beliefs prevented her from affirming certain views about same-sex marriage, gender identity and pronoun use. Under the settlement, the Oregon Department of Human Services must reconsider Bates’s application and may not exclude her from consideration solely because of those beliefs; the state also agreed to make a temporary injunction permanent and pay litigation costs and attorney’s fees. The agreement does not guarantee that Bates will receive an adoption license or placement. ODHS maintains that it will continue matching children with homes based on their individual needs, including placing LGBTQIA2S+ youth in affirming homes.