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NJ DCF Commissioner Beyer Response to Supreme Court Decision in Fulton v. Philadelphia 

 

TRENTON – NJ DCF Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision yesterday in the case of Fulton v. The City of Philadelphia which upheld a Catholic foster agency’s ability to deny placing children with same-sex couples: 

“I am disappointed that the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Fulton v. Philadelphia was not the absolute victory we were hoping for—the Court held that the City of Philadelphia was unable in this circumstance to enforce its non-discrimination policy against a third-party foster agency that discriminated against same-sex couples, but the Court upheld the rights of government agencies like the NJ Department of Children and Families to ensure that taxpayer-funded foster agencies comply with non-discrimination policies. In New Jersey, we will retain our commitment to ensuring LGBTQ+ foster parents are welcome and able to provide access to their safe and loving homes.  

“In New Jersey, we have a history of being among the vanguard in support of the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Our State’s Law Against Discrimination is among the strongest in the nation. Our legal precedents, including Galluccio v. New Jersey, have set the benchmark for adoptive parents’ rights. Our system was one of the first jurisdictions in the country, and certainly the first Statewide jurisdiction, to achieve the Human Rights Campaign gold seal for our support of LGBTQ+ parents and youth. As a system, we are committed to uphold the basic principle that parents—foster, biological, or adoptive—shouldn’t be disqualified because of who they love but should instead be celebrated for how much they love and care for their children. 

“Our LGBTQ+ family and friends should know that no matter what happens around the country, we will always stand behind them in New Jersey. 

“My thoughts are with the families affected by yesterday’s decision and the child welfare workers who strive every day to make sure that ALL families are supported and respected.” 

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