VT abandons gender-ideology mandate, allows Christians and other religious families to care for foster children

BURLINGTON, Vt. – In a win for foster families and religious freedom, Vermont officials have finalized a new policy clarifying that foster families need not abandon their religious beliefs or promote gender ideology to qualify as foster parents. This comes after Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, representing two Christian foster families, appealed a lower court’s ruling in Wuoti v. Winters to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The families argued that Vermont officials violated their First Amendment rights by requiring them to speak in contrast to their beliefs on gender and sexuality as a condition of being licensed to care for vulnerable children.

Inspired by their faith, the Wuoti and the Gantt families felt called to help meet Vermont’s “desperate” need for foster families. Pastor Brian Wuoti and his wife, Katy, became foster parents in 2014 and adopted two brothers from foster care. Pastor Bryan Gantt and his wife, Rebecca, became foster parents in 2016 and specialized in caring for children born with drug dependencies or with fetal alcohol syndrome. The Gantts have since adopted three children. In spite of this track record of success, Vermont officials revoked their licenses in 2022 and 2024 because of their religious beliefs against gender ideology.

“This is an incredible victory for children in Vermont’s foster-care system,” said ADF Senior Counsel Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse. “No parent should be forced to lie to a vulnerable child about who they are, much less promote irreversible and life-altering procedures that don’t have any proven health benefits. And, unfortunately, other loving families have been unable to open their homes to children in need just because of their Christian worldview. We commend Vermont for respecting the religious diversity of foster parents and ending its exclusionary policy that deprived children of opportunities to find loving homes.”

As part of the settlement, Vermont has agreed to rescind the revocation decisions for the Wuoti and Gantt families and to abide by the new policy’s nondiscrimination guidelines moving forward. In the updated policy, it clarifies that “endorsement or affirmation of specific identities,” or the “use of particular vocabulary, prescribed language, or preferred pronouns related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or identity expression,” is not a condition of licensure.

“We’re thankful that common sense won out and that Vermont has changed its policy to put children’s interests above divisive ideologies,” said the Wuotis. “We’re grateful for one more opportunity to help give children a safe and loving home.”

“There are more kids in the foster-care system than there are families to care for them,” said the Gantts. “Our focus throughout this case has been on the children who need stability and love above everything else. We’re overjoyed that Vermont is doing right by the children in the system.”

After the case is sent back to the district court, ADF attorneys will file a joint stipulation and proposed order outlining their agreement with Vermont.

Reprint from Alliance Defending Freedom.

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