Bethany Christian Services Bans LGBTQ Couples from Fostering and Adopting

Bethany Christian Services, one of the largest Christian adoption agencies in the United States, has decided to completely prohibit fostering and adoption by LGBTQ couples starting in June 2027. The agency established this policy during a recent process to clarify and reaffirm its faith-based commitments through its board of directors, aiming to 'strengthen its Christian identity.' This requires all staff and board members to agree to and adhere to a confession of faith, including the Apostles' Creed.

Under this decision, Bethany Christian Services plans to issue and reissue licenses exclusively to foster homes whose Christian faith and beliefs align with the agency's confession of faith starting in June 2027. The confession of faith includes a view of marriage defined as 'a covenant between one man and one woman.'

Operating in more than 25 states across the U.S. and employing over 1,000 staff members, Bethany Christian Services' decision is expected to significantly impact how Christian agencies operate child welfare services in the U.S. and the environment for LGBTQ individuals seeking to foster and adopt. This change restricts opportunities for LGBTQ families to foster and adopt children, leading to outcomes that run counter to broader societal recognition and legal protections. It suggests that decisions by large faith-based organizations to strengthen their identity can conflict with social inclusion.