Hyperpartisans could target foster care agencies that do not discriminate against LGBTQ foster parents if they are able to see a victory on the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court's decision in Philadelphia is unlikely to have any significant impact on a city such as Philadelphia. Many other organizations, including faith-based organizations, will continue to recognize LGBTQ+ families as foster fathers. What happens to smaller communities where foster care is dependent on one organization? What would happen to rural America if Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia, the only agency that serves the community, discriminates?One-fifth of the U.S.'s population lives in rural America. This region has the highest rates of child poverty and poverty. It also has the highest rates for parenting in same-sex couples as well as LGBTQ+ people. Substance abuse is a major problem in rural America. However, children are more likely to be placed in foster care due to the distances involved and the lack of transportation options.It will be difficult to mitigate the potential damage and risk from this decision. However, a few quick steps can help.First, all cities and municipalities should carefully review their contracts to child welfare agencies. The Supreme Court's decision was narrowly focused on Philadelphia's one provider.Chief Justice John Roberts stated that CSS only seeks accommodation to allow it continue serving children in Philadelphia. This is consistent with its religious beliefs. Roberts argued that the refusal of the city to contract with the Catholic agency violates the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause.City officials will have to ensure that loopholes and exemptions such as those found in the Philadelphia contract go away. Discrimination cannot be allowed to flourish. No exemptions are allowed for discrimination by an organization.Advocates, non-profits, and all those who care can't be complacent. To ensure that policies and contract language are up-to-date, we must collaborate with local public agencies.Second, the organizations must provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ families. The Supreme Court's decision is a clear signal to LGBTQ+ families that they can be discriminated against legally by any organization that wants to. We can take this opportunity to double our efforts and welcome LGBTQ+ families as foster or adoptive parents, and onto our boards and directors. This will help us turn our loss into a win for the loneliest of children.These efforts are essential. Here's why: In 2019, more than 400,000 children were separated from their biological parents and placed in foster care. In 2021, we will have about the same amount of foster children.The foster care system is slow, despite our best efforts. Most children spend at least two years in foster care once they are separated from their families. Our youngest children are often left behind for too long. Each year, more than 23,000 of our oldest teens leave the system without any family.About 125,000 children are in foster care, but only five percent of them live with families who would adopt them. We struggle most to provide love, belonging, and family for LGBTQ+ children. These estimates range from as low as 4 percent to as high at 34 percent for the LGBTQ+ community in foster homes. Many are victims of homophobia, sexphobia, and rejection within and outside foster care.The ruling has a multiplier effect on foster youth and potential foster parents in rural areas with less foster care agency options. LGBTQ+ families will have to travel hours to find a foster agency that is willing to work with them. This is a huge step forward in foster care recruitment.Research shows that children succeed when they feel loved and accepted as part of a family. Unfortunately, these are experiences that charities and governments cannot provide. For this, you will need your family.My organization, The Childrens Village has many LGBTQ+ families who step up to offer love and belonging to children denied their identity. This is the foundation of human success. These families are not on a mission of influencing a child's sexuality. They want to be a safe place for children who have been repeatedly rejected and denied love.The impact of LGBTQ+ families is immeasurable. It would be a huge failure to fulfill our moral obligation to these loving families to provide their children with a place to call home, love, and belonging. It would also lead to poverty and loneliness in rural areas, requiring continued government intervention, charity, or both. This begs the question: Does this child not deserve a family? Are they not worthy to be surrounded by loving people? They do.Services for children, particularly those that encourage adoption, have always enjoyed bipartisan support. In today's hyperpartisan environment, this is changing. Anti-LGBTQ groups could be encouraged by the Supreme Court's ruling. They could picket child welfare agencies and harass staff who work with LGBTQ+ families. They might even try to control a nonprofit's board of directors to impose a discriminatory strategy. These types of outcomes cannot be regarded as unlikely after the events of January 6, 2021.Growing up, I was raised in a family that believed, respected and debated the great faith traditions. My father, a Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka, converted to evangelical Christianity. I have served and studied with people of faith. I've witnessed and experienced the hypocrisy, love, and division that religion can create. I respect faith and engage in as many ways as possible. Through it all, I have learned that love is the greatest of all.
